UNITED CALL TO SAVE GREAT APES AS UNEP/ UNESCO CONFERENCE OPENS

[Guest guest]

ADI REPORTS FROM KINSHASA ON UNITED CALL TO SAVE GREAT APES AS UNEP/ UNESCO

CONFERENCE OPENS

 

 

 

Animal Defenders International (ADI) reports from the UNEP/UNESCO GRASP

Conference in Kinshasa, where governments in 23 great ape range states,

governments with aid and economic interests and NGOs working for great ape

protection, unanimously agree that action to save apes is urgently needed

now.

 

 

 

This morning the Intergovernmental Meeting on Great Apes was opened in

Kinshasa by President Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

This remarkable conference draws together representatives of all great ape

range states, governments involved with aid and development, and animal

protection groups.

 

 

 

In her opening comments, Dr Melanie Virtue, GRASP Team Leader of the

Secretariat of UNEP in Kenya, noted: " This was the 11th hour for the great

apes. "

 

 

 

Dr Richard Leakey of UN's GRASP and one of the foremost authorities on

wildlife and nature conservation, commented: " When we discuss great apes and

their survival, we are talking about members of our own family. We are the

sixth great ape. This might make people uncomfortable, but it is the

scientific position. " He referred to the impact of climate change that is

sweeping through the world, citing Katrina as a prime example, and the

devastating impact these changes have on the poorest countries where

populations are hungry and in need. He warned, " It is no longer possible

for NGOs to apply first aid. Government action is needed if we are to

address the survival of great apes in those areas, where people are

desperate to survive themselves. Some species face imminent extinction, and

even signing the current agreement may be too late for them. "

 

 

 

Jan Creamer, chief executive of ADI, speaking today from Kinshasa, noted:

" This conference clearly shows that there is political will to address these

problems, but financial resources and a co-ordinated strategy to save these

animals is not always in place. We hope that we will finish this week with a

genuine commitment from all involved to save our closest relatives in the

animal kingdom. " On Friday, 9th September, it is hoped that the Declaration

on great apes will be agreed by all participants and be taken up as part of

the UK's ethical foreign policy.

 

 

 

Dr Leakey congratulated President Kabila and the DRC for the " foresight,

wisdom and political courage " to launch this initiative, but said that

African nations cannot pay for the preservation of the world's heritage -

other countries need to help.

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________ENDS _____________________________