Fall/Winter 2010 International Primate Protection Leaguea (IPPL), Souths Carolina cent Art Direction & Design: ©Emerson, Wajdowicz Studios / NYC / www.designEWS.com Printed on recycled paper. on recycled paper. Printed ©Cyril 7 Studios / NYC www.designEWS.com Art Direction & Design: ©Emerson, Wajdowicz Page Sanctuary; Chimpanzee ©Tacugama 5 Page Wajdowicz; 6©Jurek & 4 2, pages cover, Front Photography: Lanjouw ©Annette cover Back Ruoso; Collaborative Action and Leadership In this issue of Ascent, primatologist Kay Farmer profiles the NOW AVAILABLE collaborative leadership of the members of the International Primate Protection League and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, two The Arcus Foundation has released its 2009 annual report, Arcus-funded groups whose members are working together to find which features essays by solutions to aid the plight of endangered great apes threatened by prominent bloggers working in habitat destruction, disease, and the bushmeat and pet trades. Arcus’ mission areas, as well as highlights from grantees and Also, meet Liza Gadsby of Pandrillus Sanctuaries in Nigeria and other partners. Download the Cameroon, and Bala Amarasekaran of Tacugama Chimpanzee report from the Arcus Web site Sanctuary in Sierra Leone. Combatting logging, poaching, lack of at www.arcusfoundation.org. resources and civil war, these two very compassionate sanctuary directors are driven by their passion for great apes and also, people. As Bala puts it, “We are all connected.” The Arcus Foundation is a leading global foundation advancing pressing social justice and conservation issues. Specifically, Arcus works to advance LGBT equality, as well as to conserve and protect the great apes. Collaborative Action for Primate Conservation and Welfare IPPL& PASA By Dr. Kay H. Farmer Our world is rich in primate diversity. From the pygmy mouse lemur, which can weigh about 30 grams, to the mountain gorilla, which can weigh up to 200 kilograms, more than 600 primate species inhabit over 90 countries across Central and South America, Africa, and Asia. However, almost half these species are in danger of becoming extinct from the destruc- Otion of tropical forests, the illegal wildlife trade, and commercial bushmeat sellers. At the same time, their welfare frequently is compromised in research laboratories, unaccredited zoos, and the entertainment industry as well as by private owners. Non-human primates are our closest living relatives and, as such, occupy a special position in our hearts and minds. This special relationship has mobilized a small army of committed individuals and organizations across the world that are working to protect primates and their habitats. International Primate Protection League (IPPL): Protecting Primates Around the Globe The International Primate Protection international primate trafficking and traumatized primates. With the right League (IPPL), created in 1973 by abuse. As a direct consequence of IPPL’s circumstances in place, some of the Dr. Shirley McGreal, is a nonprofit work, several countries have banned primates may even be returned to the organization dedicated to promoting primate exports, initiated criminal wild. Furthermore, in developing coun- the conservation and protection of all investigations, and prosecuted wildlife tries where few formal environmental non-human primates around the world. traffickers. IPPL also operates its own education programs exist, sanctuaries It is the only organization that promotes sanctuary in the United States, located at provide invaluable opportunities for local protection of all primates regardless its headquarters in Summerville, South people to learn about the importance of of geography or conservation status. Carolina. There, 33 gibbons have a primates to the local ecosystems. Headquartered in the United States with permanent home after their former IPPL field representatives create and a branch in the United Kingdom, IPPL lives as research subjects, residents of preserve national parks and sanctuaries has over 15,000 members and 30 field unaccredited zoos or unwanted pets. and advocate for bans on primate representatives in 25 countries. It provides IPPL prides itself on using a col- hunting, trapping, and trade. Members advice and funding, publicizes the laborative approach to problem solving. monitor the conditions of primates in plight of primates in need, organizes Maximum impact is achieved by working their local zoos and write letters of international protest campaigns, and with other grass-roots organizations and support for IPPL’s campaigns. IPPL’s conducts investigations into illegal through its own network of field repre- magazine, which has three issues a sentatives, advisory board members and year, emphasizes constructive actions other supporters. Many of IPPL’s partner that readers can take to help primates. organizations are sanctuaries in the Every two years IPPL invites its members native countries of the primates. Sanc- to visit its South Carolina sanctuary to tuaries provide an immediate solution meet and hear presentations by primate for confiscated primates that have been experts from around the world. This illegally traded, which is still a common opportunity to communicate, share learn- practice. Sanctuaries also provide a safe ing, solve issues and network is crucial to haven, immediate triage and rehabilitation the human primate community that works Dr. Shirley McGreal for physically and psychologically tirelessly to protect non-human primates. As long as there are poachers, animal smugglers and research laboratories, compassionate people need to work together ‘‘to make the world a safer place for primates. —I DR. SH RLEY MCGREAL 2 ’’ Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA): Collaboration Across Africa The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance has developed various mechanisms institutes, governments, zoos, and (PASA) is based on a similar model to coordinate learning and strengthen donors to further strengthen the of communication and collaboration; capacity between these geographically sanctuary community. As a result, PASA Indeed, IPPL U.K. was instrumental in isolated and logistically challenged sanctuaries have an enhanced profes- its development. Created in 2000, PASA sanctuaries. Annual workshops provide sional profile, and government authorities is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization professional development opportunities and conservation organizations now seek dedicated to strengthening, supporting, for sanctuary directors, veterinarians, PASA’s advice and guidance. This unique and advancing the work of accredited and environmental educators. These collaboration between governments, primate sanctuaries across Africa. PASA’s workshops facilitate communication NGOs and PASA members is being members—African primate sanctuaries— and collaboration between sanctuaries adopted as a model of cooperation across become accredited through a process and other key programs and organiza- continents to strengthen the international that includes on-site inspection and tions. Knowledge and expertise built and sanctuary community. compliance with minimum standards. shared in these workshops has led to Actively working together to accom- Further, best-practice guidelines provide the development of specific manuals for plish a broad common mission can direction in key areas to even higher sanctuary directors, veterinarians, and produce positive change. IPPL and PASA levels of professionalism. Membership education staff and improved standards are clearly demonstrating the impact of provides a benchmark to objectively of care as well as the practice of rein- collaborative action and leadership to verify that accredited sanctuaries exem- troducing primates into the wild. PASA’s address the complexities that challenge plify excellence and meet the standards ability to strengthen individual organi- our non-human primate cousins in the of care that their primate residents zations through building their capacity modern world. deserve. As a direct result, all PASA has earned international acclaim as its To learn more about collaborative member sanctuaries are the only African educators, veterinarians, and caregivers action to save the world’s primates, facilities that are members of the Global have won numerous awards for best visit IPPL at www.ippl.org and PASA at Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. practice. PASA also advocates for www.pasaprimates.org. Currently, there are 20 PASA-accred- sanctuaries and the role they play in Dr. Kay H. Farmer is a primatologist who has ited sanctuaries, spanning 12 African African primate conservation, develop- worked closely with both IPPL and PASA for countries that care for over 1,000 apes ing partnerships with the private sector, over a decade. She is an Honorary Research and about 3,500 primates in total. PASA conservation organizations, research Fellow at the University of Stirling, Scotland. Collaboration Around the Globe: Countries with IPPL and PASA Participation UNITED KINGDOM U.S. NEPAL INDIA THAILAND GAMBIA VIETNAM GUINEA NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE CAMEROON UGANDA MALAYSIA COLOMBIA EQUATORIAL GUINEA SINGAPORE ECUADOR GABON KENYA INDONESIA CONGO DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO PERU ZAMBIA AUSTRALIA CHILE International Primate Protection SOUTH AFRICA League (IPPL) Supported Projects Pan African Sanctuary Aliance (PASA) Members 3 I We are all connected. For us, chimpanzees are the focus, ‘‘but it’s not just about the chimpanzees. People need to understand why we need to coexist. Bala Amarasekaran’’ By Rebecca Steinitz