Great ape ranges coincide with some of the poorest countries of the world – particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Great apes attract a great deal of conservation interest and funding, due to their close genetic relationship with humans and their status as global flagship species for conservation. Highly endangered great apes are often protected through strictly controlled and enforced conservation areas that can – intentionally or otherwise – have negative impacts on the livelihoods of the already poor local communities, through restrictions on resource access and so on.