Born Free Foundation - Keep Wildlife in the Wild

The IUCN¹ Red List, which details all rare species, classes baboons as ‘lower risk’.  This means they are of least concern conservation-wise because of their high population numbers.

Despite this many baboons are killed each year due to hunting pressure for bushmeat and to capture babies for the illegal pet trade in many countries. Hunting pressure on baboons is increasing in some parts of their range and could reach unsustainable levels if it is not curtailed.

¹International Union for Conservation of Nature

Trading in baboons

For CITES² member countries, the international trade of baboons is legal, but restricted.  Baboons are officially listed in Appendix II, which means their trade is monitored and regulated.

²Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.  CITES is a UN convention which regulates trade in threatened animals and plants.