In the remote town of Lodja in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mongabay has documented how the illegal wildlife trade has created a devastating economic incentive system that threatens endangered bonobos – which are in high demand as exotic pets. Local hunters can earn approximately $200 USD for capturing a live baby bonobo, while middlemen in towns like Lodja can make $450 USD per animal – substantial sums in a country where two-thirds of the population lives on less than $2.15 USD per day. The capture of a single infant bonobo typically results in the deaths of additional apes, as mothers and family members defend their young to the death. Indeed, a 2013 report on the illegal ape trade concluded that five to 10 animals die for every one taken from the wild. This trade is driven by wealthy international buyers, primarily in China, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates, where a single bonobo might ultimately sell for $300,000 USD.