IPPL is 30!

[Guest guest]

From the editorial page of the 29 December 2003 issue of the Charleston

Post and Courier, Charleston, SC

 

Royal praise for deserving cause

 

Not many organizations in the world can boast of a royal patron, and it is

rare for an entity in South Carolina to be so honored. The International

Primate Protection League of Summerville deservedly has such a longtime

supporter.

 

Prince Philip, husband of Queen Elizabeth II, sent his greetings on the

30th anniversary of the founding of the charity, which combats the illegal

trafficking in primates, including monkeys, lemurs and apes, and operates a

sanctuary for rescued animals.

 

" I am delighted to have this opportunity to offer my warmest

congratulations (to the League) and my special congratulations to its

founder, Dr. Shirley McGreal, " he writes. " The League can look back with

much pride on its very considerable achievements ... most primate

populations around the globe are in a better state thanks to its activities. "

 

The prince also commented on the bravery of Dr. McGreal and her supporters

in challenging the illegal capture and trade in primates. " This is a very

dangerous business and it takes real courage to collect evidence, track

smugglers and bring illegal dealers to justice, " he wrote.

 

Dr. McGreal tells us that she has met Prince Philip, who is president

emeritus of the World Wildlife Fund, many times at wildlife conferences.

 

Over the years, he has written some 80 letters praising the IPPL's work and

even wrote a letter, at Dr. McGreal's request, thanking a Miami judge for

rejecting a probation plea bargain that would have saved an orangutan

smuggler from imprisonment.

 

Tributes to the League have been arriving at its Summerville headquarters

from all over the world. The anniversary is also heralded in a special

edition of the League's magazine, which includes Dr. McGreal's own account

of her experiences while living in Bangkok, Thailand, that prompted her to

devote her life to saving primates.

 

The IPPL has an award-winning Web site (www.ippl.org) and was rated fifth

out of more than 100 nonprofit organizations by Charity Navigator for

maximizing the impact of supporters' donations. It is a deserving cause, as

photographs of the animals IPPL has rescued testify, and deserving of

praise for 30 years of remarkable achievement.

 

 

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Dr. Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman

International Primate Protection League

POB 766, Summerville SC 29484-0766, USA

Ph. 843-871-2280 Fax. 843-871-7988

E-mail: smcgreal, Website www.ippl.org

 

" We need not think alike to love alike. " Francis David