Trees no more

The loss of primary habitats for chimpanzees is shrinking fast

Habitat loss is linked to increasing demands for land by the constantly growing human population. Africa currently has one of the highest growth rates in the world, its population doubling every 24 years which leads to a greater demand upon the natural resources. Wood is cut for firewood, charcoal, and building poles. Forests are clear cut for living space, crop growing and grazing for domestic livestock. Forest concessions are sold to timber companies from the developed world, some of which practice clear cutting, turning forest land into desert. 

Forests are clear-cut for living space, crop growing, grazing for domestic livestock. Forest concessions are sold to timber companies from the developed world, some of which practice clear cutting, turning forestland into desert. Unless we can find some way to slow down population growth - to voluntarily optimize the population - the stresses and strains on the natural resources will be too great to bear. Deforestation drives the chimpanzee species toward extinction. Many populations have become fragmented. Very small relict groups will not be viable once they are cut off from other groups and no longer able to exchange genetic material.