Deforestation is becoming a major issue within the DRC. The combination of poor forest management and unsustainable logging practices have highly contributed to environmental damage with the opening of new transport routes through the forest.

Commercial logging is now directly related to the bushmeat crisis. The logging routes facilitate commercial bushmeat hunting by increasing access to once undisturbed forest areas. Hunters are now able to transport bushmeat to the markets by motor vehicle in a fraction of the time that it took by foot.

With the utilization of GIS and the advances in satellite technology, researchers will have an enhanced understanding concerning the state of the Congo forests. The map of the DRC illustrates a satellite image representing dense canopy cover in green and fragmented forest in red. Forest analysis could reveal where current logging is taking place within the DRC and furthermore interpret the areas of increased bushmeat activities.

©The Canadian Great Ape Alliance in Association with Sir Sandford Fleming College