Stolen Apes

PREFACE

The countries that host these primates, including those who import and consume these species, are called upon to put an end to this sinister international traffic.

The countries of West and Central Africa are home to populations of gorillas, chimpan- zees and bonobos. These great apes make up an important part of our natural heritage. But as with all things of value, great apes are used by man for commercial profit and the illegal trafficking of the species constitutes a serious threat to their existence.

called upon to close their respective borders to put an end to this sinister international traffic.

Many range countries are engaged in a process that aims to pro- tect the great apes. This process needs sustained and coordinated actions on the ground to ensure the survival of great apes. Along with governments, the public should play an important role to establish partnerships for the conservation of primates and other wildlife. Opportunities for transitions to Green Economies should also be explored, in order to ensure sufficient resources for the rural and urban populations living in great apes habitats.

We are convinced of the progress that is observed across great apes range States in West and Central Africa, and see this UN- EP-GRASP report as a way to raise awareness among stakehold- ers to promote great ape conservation. Only by understanding how many primates are taken from their natural environments each year, can we put an end to this black market.

We welcome the efforts started by many other governments around the world towards this objective.

The countries that host these primates, including those who import and consume these species for meat and trophies, are

Henri Djombo Minister, Forest Economy and Rural Development, Republic of Congo

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