I want to pass on information I have learned on the bushmeat trade, and besides the loss of lives and habitat, remember that this is where the orphans come from.  Their mothers shot, the young are taken and sold as pets or for entertainment purposes.  Once again, you may not be there to help but raising awareness and not supporting illegal logging is something you can do.

The commercial bushmeat trade (or illegal hunting of wild animals) is the most  immediate threat to the future of wildlife populations in Africa today, and could well lead to the loss of many wild species in the next 20 years, including chimpanzees. The number of bushmeat consumers has increase by eight-fold since 1900, and now represents an equally important conservation concern as growing global population and resource consumption.

 Bushmeat has long been a staple part of forest peoples' diet, and until recently, the hunting of wild animals for food was a sustainable practice. The trade in bushmeat has now become a profitable business for forest dwellers, who often lack alternative options for income generation. The rapidly growing timber industry has been a major factor in fueling and facilitating the bushmeat trade. Logging companies cut roads into previously inaccessible forests, and also provide the transportation needed to link hunting grounds and markets. Even where prohibited by company policy, logging truck drivers routinely carry loads of up to 200 kg of bushmeat, including gorillas and chimpanzees, in return for easy payments.

The lack of capacity to enforce or legitimize existing laws, and the unrestricted ability for anyone to enter the commercial bushmeat trade, are now the driving factors threatening wildlife and biodiversity conservation across West and Central Africa. Combined with rising demand for meat from urban dwellers, lack of alternative options for income generation, absence of protein substitutes, and opening of old growth forests, the commercial bushmeat trade is a conservation crisis that can only be addressed through a unified effort between all the stakeholders.

From the Limbe Wildlife Center:

"The biggest challenge is education. Limbe does a great job explaining why bushmeat isn’t good, suggesting raising rabbits and other herd animals as other sources of protein, since they reproduce faster and are not endangered. During one group’s visit to Limbe, someone asked how they could tell if they were buying a chimpanzee or gorilla when buying bushmeat, something people like to do for special occasions like Christmas or other holidays. Abel, a Limbe staff member, explained that bushmeat is often smoked and dried, cut into small bits while still in the bush to keep it fresh until it gets to a market, so the best way to avoid eating a chimp or a gorilla was to avoid ALL bushmeat! A good suggestion indeed!

No one’s children needs to eat bushmeat to survive or to get protein, as there are several other, more viable sources of protein to eat. Bushmeat is a luxury and  it’s a luxury that comes at an incredibly awful high price that the selfish consumer rarely considers.

It’s simplistic to blame the African who buys bushmeat as a treat for his family.
Many believe the forests always held enough food for them and their families and do not realize the extent of the destruction going on. Once they learn this, they quickly understand the problem and many are spurred into doing something about it, by going home to tell their family and friends to stop buying bushmeat. If the end-user isn’t there, the slaughter could and would stop."

Africa is far away, but you can help slow the commercial bushmeat trade. Wood certification programs encourage logging companies in Africa to follow international wildlife laws. When you buy wood or furniture, ask the store whether the wood has been certified, and look for a well-managed or certification symbol on the label. This lets you know your purchase supports responsible logging, which helps to slow illegal bushmeat hunting.

I found an organization called the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which is a non profit organization that promotes responsible forest management and has a certification program.  When you go to your local hardware store such as Lowe's you can ask for materials with the FSC logo.  That way you will know this is an area being supervised.  This non profit organization has recertification regularly to keep up as well on if their is any irresponsible activity and will revoke the certificate.  Check out their site below.