GREAT APES
Gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans are great apes. They are characterized by a very pronounced social behavior and are the closest relatives of humans. All great ape species are threatened with extinction. Their population in the wild is declining sharply, with the exception of the mountain gorillas, for which good conservation strategies have been developed in recent years, especially in Rwanda and Uganda.
The main threat to the apes is habitat loss due to agriculture, mining and logging, as well as poaching for the trade in ape meat and baby apes.
Illegal animal trade
Trafficking in protected animal and plant species is the fourth most lucrative organized crime in the world, after trafficking in counterfeit products, drugs and people. It is estimated at 22 billion euros annually. Great apes are poached for their meat and for their babies.
Illegally trafficked chimpanzees, gorillas and bonobos come mainly from West and Central Africa, orangutans mainly from Indonesia. When young animals are caught, all family members are usually killed, as they defend the babies at all cost. The poacher often only get a couple of dollars for the young animal but the price increases with each trade. International buyers pay up to $250,000 US for a young baby gorilla.
The main target countries are China, Thailand and the Gulf States. Many of the young animals end up in zoos and amusement parks as well as in private facilities.
Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species
The Convention on International Trade in Endagered Species (CITES) is intended to ensure that trade in endangered animal and plant species does not jeopardize their conservation. It was adopted by 80 countries in 1973 and came into force in 1975. In the meantime, 183 parties have ratified it. Joint conferences decide which species are covered by the agreement. Specially protected species, such as all great ape species, are listed under Appendix I. This means that they may only be traded under very specific conditions. The scientific staff of the CITES government agencies of the exporting and importing countries must issue a permit for trade. In doing so, they must check whether trade could endanger the species' conservation. Species that are particularly endangered, for example, may only be traded if they were born in captivity and if the trade is not for commercial purposes.
But CITES has come under criticism, and trade in protected species has increased massively in recent years. Numerous cases of corruption in government CITES offices have been uncovered, especially in African and Asian countries. The General Secretariat has too little staff members and resources to investigate suspected cases. It also relies on the cooperation of member countries, which often block sanctions or other measures.