Ape extinction, particularly great ape extinction, is one of the most widely held biodiversity concerns.There are very few breeding populations of non-human great apes outside captivity. Ape extinction, particularly Great Ape extinction, is one of the most widely held biodiversity concerns today.

The facts are, that there are very few breeding populations of the gorilla, bonobo, chimpanzee or orangutan outside captivity, and all such populations are not only formally classified as endangered species, but in the direct path of human deforestation and development, especially in Indonesia and the Congo. They are also hunted by man, as part of the growing African "bushmeat" trade, which has spread to African cities. Advocates of Great Ape personhood consider the three hominid apes, the bonobo, chimpanzee, and gorilla, plus the non-hominid orangutan to be "persons" as opposed to "animals". They seek legal recognition of this status.