Apes in the News

PLoS One | Erik Meijaard et al. | November 2011

Abstract

Human-orangutan conflict and hunting are thought to pose a serious threat to orangutan existence in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. No data existed prior to the present study to substantiate these threats. We investigated the rates, spatial distribution and causes of conflict and hunting through an interview-based survey in the orangutan’s range in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Between April 2008 and September 2009, we interviewed 6983 respondents in 687 villages to obtain socio-economic information, assess knowledge of local wildlife in general and orangutan encounters specifically, and to query respondents about their knowledge on orangutan conflicts and killing, and relevant laws. This survey revealed estimated killing rates of between 750 and 1800 animals killed in the last year, and between 1950 and 3100 animals killed per year on average within the lifetime of the survey respondents. These killing rates are higher than previously thought and are high enough to pose a serious threat to the continued existence of orangutans in Kalimantan. Importantly, the study contributes to our understanding of the spatial variation in threats, and the underlying causes of those threats, which can be used to facilitate the development of targeted conservation management.

22/11/2011
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The Guardian Post | November 2011

A dealer in protected wildlife species has been arrested in Lomie, in the Upper Nyong division of the East region. The man was arrested in possession of a huge stock of gorilla meat contained in a fridge in his home. Also found in the fridge were parts of De Brazza monkey and agile mangabey, a rare monkey species which belongs to class A and total­ly protected according to the 1994 wildlife law. Within 24 hours of the arrest the trafficker, three others were arrested in the same town — Lomie, with numerous parts of protected wildlife species.

22/11/2011
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National Geographic News | Brian Clark Howard | November 2011

Despite their best intentions to avoid such conflicts, environmentalists often end up squaring off against those who say protection measures deny them jobs or other resources. Perhaps nowhere is this debate more heated than when it comes to Africa, whether the issue is malaria vs. DDT or GMOs vs. the precautionary principle. Among the most incendiary topics of all is starving children, and how environmental policies may be affecting them.

21/11/2011
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UC Berkeley | Sarah Yang | November 2011

A new study by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, finds that consuming bushmeat had a positive effect on children's nutrition, raising complex questions about the trade-offs between human health and environmental conservation.

21/11/2011
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TRAFFIC.org | November 2011

Delegates from eight central African countries met last week in Douala, Cameroon, to finalize an Action Plan for strengthening national wildlife laws.

The new Action Plan will ensure better co-operation and intelligence sharing between enforcement officers in Central Africa, to help tackle large-scale poaching and illegal wildlife trade in Central Africa.

15/11/2011
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Global Post| Laura Burke | November 2011

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast: On a humid October day in a tropical forest in the middle of Abidjan, members of Ymako Theatri theater group, dressed in black suits, jump to the beat of drums and sing: "Chimpan-zees are our cou-sins! Let’s not eat them any-more! Let’s not kill them any-more!"

The rhythm is catchy and the performers are energized, singing: "We must protect the forest for the future of our children!"

Today, like always, the audience is rapt.

12/11/2011
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