\begin{tabular}{l} Based on this excerpt, one of the most damaging \\ practices affecting the great apes of Africa is \\ \( \begin{array}{l}\text { DNA analysis also is preventing a decline in } \\ \text { endangered wildlife populations by confronting the } \\ \text { commercial trade in bushmeat, which is threatening }\end{array} \) \\ \( \begin{array}{ll}\text { (B) capturing their babies for the exotic pet market. } & \text { the survival of many animals, especially the great } \\ \text { apes of Africa. Bushmeat refers to wild animals that } \\ \text { are killed and sold for food. Techniques using DNA } \\ \text { have provided conservationists with an effective tool } \\ \text { for bushmeat studies and for law enforcement by }\end{array} \) \\ (C) selling their meat for human consumption. \\ \( \begin{array}{l}\text { identifying threatened and endangered animals } \\ \text { (Deing slaughtered by traffickers. }\end{array} \) \\ \hline\end{tabular}

Based on the provided excerpt, the most damaging practice affecting the great apes of Africa is: **(C) selling their meat for human consumption.** ### **Explanation:** The excerpt discusses the role of DNA analysis in combating the decline of endangered wildlife populations by addressing the **commercial trade in bushmeat**. Bushmeat refers to wild animals that are killed and sold for food. This directly aligns with option **(C) selling their meat for human consumption**, indicating that the trade and consumption of ape meat are significant threats to their survival. On the other hand, option **(B) capturing their babies for the exotic pet market** is indeed harmful but is not the primary focus of the provided excerpt. The emphasis is clearly on the **bushmeat trade** rather than the exotic pet trade. ### **Conclusion:** **Option (C) selling their meat for human consumption** is the most appropriate answer based on the information presented in the excerpt.