The bushmeat crisis is the most significant immediate threat to the future of wildlife populations in Africa. Hunting of wildlife to meet people’s demand for protein may still be sustainable in the few remaining areas where population densities are less than 2 people/km2, trade routes are poorly established, and human population growth rates are low. The scale of the illegal, commercial bushmeat trade now occurring in Africa, however, is driven by markets with large, rapidly-growing populations of consumers and is considered by experts to be unsustainable. This commercial-scale trade threatens the survival of numerous species as well as posing considerable health and economic threats for future generations.

The Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (BCTF), founded in 1999, is a consortium of conservation organizations and professionals working throughout Africa and dedicated to the conservation of wildlife populations threatened by illegal, commercial hunting of wildlife for sale as meat.The BCTF operates under the direction of an elected Steering Committee and is funded by Supporting and Contributing Members.

BCTF's primary goals are to: a) work with the general members of the BCTF to focus attention on the bushmeat crisis in Africa; b) establish an information database and mechanisms for information sharing regarding the bushmeat issue; c) facilitate engagement of African partners and stakeholders in addressing the bushmeat issue; and d) promote collaborative decision-making, fund-raising and actions among the members and associates of the BCTF.