Conservation or exploitation? You decide.

PASA joined with countless other nonprofit organizations and concerned citizens to urge U.S. Fish and Wildlife not to approve the export and allow the chimpanzees to live in an accredited, nonprofit primate sanctuary in the U.S. Despite this pressure, USFWS approved the transfer.
True Test of USFWS Protection
In June 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which is responsible for enforcing the Endangered Species Act as well as CITES regulations, ended a longstanding distinction between chimpanzees in the wild and chimps in captivity. The Endangered Species Act is very strong legislation that forbids transferring or harming endangered species for any purpose except to advance the conservation of the species in the wild. USFWS had considered wild chimps to be “endangered” and therefore receive protection under the Endangered Species Act, but chimps in captivity were not. This left the chimps used for research and entertainment in the U.S. vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. However, after years of pressure from animal protection organizations, USFWS has finally granted protection to all chimps.
The first true test of this arose when Yerkes, a center that experiments on primates for biomedical research, announced its intention to send eight chimpanzees who were retired from research to Wingham Wildlife Park, a zoo in England that is not accredited by any of the major accreditation organizations and has not cared for chimps before. PASA and a multitude of other wildlife conservation and animal welfare organizations are strongly opposed to this for several reasons. In particular, if this transfer is allowed, it would the Endangered Species Act, as it does not enhance the conservation of the species.
This transfer can set a very dangerous precedent of transporting endangered animals to other countries under the guise of conservation.

Furthermore, this transfer can set a very dangerous precedent of transporting endangered animals to other countries under the guise of conservation when the underlying motive is financial profit. It would allow Yerkes to avoid financial responsibility for the lifetime care of the chimps they used for biomedical research. The zoo in England is heavily promoting the acquisition of these chimpanzees in order to increase its ticket sales.
More information is on the New York Times website.
PASA joined with countless other nonprofit organizations and concerned citizens to urge U.S. Fish and Wildlife not to approve the export and allow the chimpanzees to live in an accredited, nonprofit primate sanctuary in the U.S. Despite this pressure, USFWS approved the transfer. Now NEAVS, the New England Anti-Vivisection Society, is taking the issue to court to try to prevent Fish and Wildlife from issuing a permit for the transfer.
Please read more here. This article includes quotes from Richard Wrangham, a PASA Board member.
Next Posts
Sanctuaries in Africa Face Water Shortages
Sanctuaries and their communities are facing increased water shortages in Africa. That’s why PASA is working to find water access solutions.
The Climate Crisis Hits African Primates Hard
The climate crisis is devastating African primates. Our new report investigates – and shows how sanctuaries are fighting back.
Conservation Efforts Safeguard African Wildlife and Habitat
African primates face interrelated environmental threats. That’s why wildlife conservation is integral to PASA member sanctuaries’ work.
PASA Welcomes Kelly O’Meara as New Executive Director
Kelly O’Meara joins the Alliance as PASA’s new Executive Director. Her leadership will be instrumental in the fight to protect primates.
Sanctuaries Build a Greener Future
PASA members are on the front lines of restoring habitat and building a greener future for their communities.
Women in Conservation: Protecting Africa’s Primates, Serving as Role Models
Meet two extraordinary African women in conservation who are protecting great apes and monkeys through their work at PASA member sanctuaries.
Coming Together to Stop Social Media Animal Cruelty
Social media channels may make it seem like primates work make good pets. But don’t believe it. Discover how we’re working in a coalition to take animal cruelty offline for good.
Celebrating the Amazing – and Endangered – Chimpanzee
In honor of World Chimpanzee Day, we’ve gathered facts and figures about these amazing animals. And we’re sharing some rescue stories that make our hearts sing.
Cryptocurrency and Conservation: A New Approach
For the last few months, we’ve been in conversations with a cryptocurrency called FEG Token. They are now an official PASA sponsor and have made a $1.1 million dollar pledge to us, in the cryptocurrency.
An Inside Look at Primate Rescues
What’s involved in rescuing a primate? More than you’d think! Read on to discover all that goes into this complex but rewarding work.