Nigeria and Cameroon request return of gorillas to Africa

[Guest guest]

It is very good news that Nigeria and Cameroon have agreed to the return of

the " Taiping Four " gorillas to Africa and has demanded DNA testing of the

animals. While filming a program about the shipment with the BBC, Ian

Redmond asked Taiping Zoo officials to take home fecal samples for testing

at a UK specialist lab for ape identification but his offer was refused.

 

IPPL has learned that many zoos are anxious to get a bonanza of a million

dollars worth of free gorillas and accompanying glory and publicity -

without the zoos having done any of the work on this case like IPPL has

since learning of the shipment in March 2002. Obviously the sanctuary

option is more suitable for a variety of reasons. I wonder if zoos are as

anxious to take in more " boring " species than gorillas? Shirley McGreal

 

----Letter 1---------------------------

 

Mr Willem Wijnsteckers,

Secretary General,

CITES,

International Environment House,

Chemin des Anemones,

CH-1219 Chatelaine,

Geneva

Switzerland

13th November 2002

 

Dear Willem,

 

Re: The “Taiping Four” Gorilla Smuggling Case

 

Following my statement to the press on 12th November 2002 in Santiago, I

had the opportunity to discuss this case with M. Denis Koulagna Koutou, of Wildlife and Protected Areas in Cameroon, and Head of the

Cameroon Delegation to CITES CoP 12.

 

We are both of the opinion that the four gorillas should be returned to

their country of origin, and that this should be determined by the

immediate scientific analysis of DNA samples.

 

Thus, we are writing to inform you that it is the wish of the Ministry of

Environment of Nigeria, acting on behalf of the Nigerian Government, and

the CITES Management Authority of Cameroon, on behalf of the Cameroonian

Government, that the above-mentioned four young gorillas be returned to a

sanctuary in Africa (Cameroon if the DNA confirms this as their country of

origin).

 

We are copying this letter to His Excellency the Honourable Mr Law Hieng

Ding, Minister of Science, Technology and Environment in the Malaysian

Government to make him aware of our formal request.

 

A copy is also being sent to UNEP, for the information of the Great Ape

Survival Project, and to Dr. Shirley McGreal of the International Primate

Protection League, who is coordinating efforts to ensure that resources are

available for the transfer and care of these innocent infant gorillas until

circumstances permit their eventual return to the wild.

 

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

 

Yours Very Sincerely,

 

[signed]

 

Otuekong (Dr) Imeh T. Okopido,

Minister of Environment (State),

Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to CITES CoP 12.

 

[signed]

M. Denis Koulagna Koutou, of Wildlife and Protected Areas in Cameroon,

Head of the Cameroon Delegation to CITES CoP 12

 

Attached for your information, a copy of Dr Okopido’s press statement of

12.11.02.

 

Copies to:

His Excellency the Honorable Mr Law Hieng Ding, Minister of Science,

Technology and Environment, Malaysia

Mr Rob Hepworth, Deputy Director, Division of Environmental Conventions,

and GrASP Coordinator, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya

Ian Redmond, Head of the GrASP Technical Support Team, Born Free Foundation, UK

Dr Shirley McGreal, Chairperson, International Primate Protection League, USA.

 

---------------------Letter 2---------------

 

Honourable Mr Law Hieng Ding,

Minister of Science, Technology and Environment,

Block C4,

Federal Government Administration Centre,

62662 Putrajaya,

Kuala Lampur,

Malaysia 13th November 2002

 

Dear Minister,

 

Please find enclosed a copy of our letter to Mr Willem Wijnstekers,

Secretary General of CITES on the subject of the “Taiping Four” gorillas.

We would be grateful if you could give this your urgent attention so that

the matter can be resolved in a just and timely manner.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

[signed]

 

Otuekong (Dr) Imeh T. Okopido,

Minister of Environment (State),

Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to CITES CoP 12.

 

[signed]

 

M. Denis Koulagna Koutou, of Wildlife and Protected Areas in Cameroon,

Head of the Cameroon Delegation to CITES CoP 12

 

Attached for your information, a copy of Dr Okopido’s press statement of

12.11.02.

 

Copies to:

 

§ Mr Rob Hepworth, Deputy Director, Division of Environmental Conventions,

and GrASP Coordinator, UNEP, Nairobi, Kenya

§ Ian Redmond, Head of the GrASP Technical Support Team, Born Free

Foundation, UK

§ Dr Shirley McGreal, Chairperson, International Primate Protection League,

USA.