Localization

Gorillas, bonobos : Central Africa

Chimpanzee (out of bonobos) : Western and Central Africa

Orangutans : South-East Asia

Humans : World

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Threats​

• Housing and urban areas

• Tourism and recreation areas

• Annual and perennial non-timber crops

• Mining and quarrying

• Roads and railroads

• Hunting and trapping terrestrial animals

• Logging

• Wood harvesting

• Fire and fire suppression

• Habitat shifting and alteration

• Bushmeat

• Traditional medicine

• Poaching and illegal life trade

• Diseases (i.e. Ebola, anthrax)

• Illegal pet trade

• Sexual trade

 

Population

Decreasing​​​​​​​​​​​

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EU Wildlife Trade Regulations :

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Eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) : Class A (20/05/2023)

Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) : Class A (20/05/2023)

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Bonobo (Pan paniscus) Class A (20/05/2023)

Chimpanzee : Pan troglodytes : Class A (20/05/2023)​

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Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) : Class A (20/05/2023)

Borneo orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) : Class A (20/05/2023)​

Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) : Class A (20/05/2023)

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Trade

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International :

Frankfurt Declaration on Gorilla Conservation (10/06/2009)

Urge range states to:

• Enforce existing laws banning the hunting and trading of gorillas, including strictly regulating the wider bushmeat trade,

• Establish zones available for legal, sustainable use of wildlife over which local communities have full ownership

• Create a network of effectively managed protected areas

• Develop and adhere to best practice guidelines on logging, mineral resource ex traction and agricultural production

• Raise awareness of the legal status and illegal exploitation of gorillas and other wildlife and take action in order to change public attitudes and consumer behaviour

• Promote research projects and implement systematic monitoring programmes aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of anti-poaching efforts and halting the illegal bushmeat trade

• Reduce bushmeat transportation options

• Develop alternative protein sources.

• Urge donor states, the international community including NGOs and the private sector to assist range states in implementing the above-mentioned points through the provision of financial and technical assistanc

• Call upon states to combat illegal trade through the confiscation of illegally held live gorillas and ensure their repatriation into sanctuaries, as appropriate, in their country of origin in cooperation with CITES.

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Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitats - UNEP/GA/Resolution 2.1 (26-27/11/2011)

The Meeting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and their Habitat :

• Calls upon the Parties to submit to the INTERPOL General Secretariat, via their INTERPOL National Central Bureaux and using the Ecomessage system, information relating to the poaching of and illegal trade in gorillas. The resulting up-to-date and international database can lead to more efficient and targeted law enforcement activities

• Recommends non-Party Range States equally to submit to the INTERPOL General Secretariat, via their INTERPOL National Central Bureaux and using the Ecomessage system, information relating to the poaching of and illegal trade in gorillas

• Encourages the International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC) to recognize the seriousness of illegal international trade in gorillas, and to provide support to the implementation of the Gorilla Agreement

• Further calls upon the Parties, other Range States and the Interim Secretariat to cooperate with law enforcement bodies and regional enforcement networks, such as the Lusaka Agreement on cooperative enforcement operations directed at illegal trade in wild fauna and flora and its operational arm, the Lusaka Agreement Task Force where appropriate

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Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa), Rwanda, Uganda :

Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats - UNEP/GA/Resolution 4.1 (12/2023)

Fourth Meeting of the Parties of the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorillas and Their Habitats (GA MOP4)

Encourages Parties to collaborate with accredited rescue centres and sanctuaries and other conservation partners, whenever possible, in the care, rehabilitation, and rewilding of confiscated live gorillas, following IUCN guidelines.

Encourages Parties to submit information on illegal trade in great apes and great ape body parts to the GRASP Ape Seizure Database.​

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Democratic Republic of the Congo :

The illegal trade in great apes, including chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos, thrives in the DRC, fueled by bushmeat hunting and international demand for live animals. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak, and corruption exacerbates the issue.

The Trade:

• Bushmeat and Body Parts: Great ape meat is sold locally in Kinshasa at lower prices than beef or chicken. Poachers target mother apes for meat and body parts, selling hands, feet, and skulls.

• Live Animals: Baby apes are captured and sold to international markets in China, the Middle East, and Europe. In Dubai and China, they are kept as pets or displayed in zoos, while in Nigeria, body parts are used in traditional medicine.

• Export Routes: Traffickers use air and river transport, often bypassing security by bribing officials. Exports flow to destinations like France, Belgium, Switzerland, and China.

Legislative Context:

• Hunting and trafficking of great apes violate Congolese conservation laws.

• Corruption undermines enforcement; politicians and high-ranking officials are often complicit in the trade.

• Global laws like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) classify African great apes as critically endangered, but enforcement in source countries like the DRC remains inadequate.

Scale and Impact:

• Traffickers exploit weak governance to supply zoos, pet markets, and bushmeat demand.

• The illegal trade of live apes is estimated to generate $8 million annually.

• Populations of great apes in Africa are critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and trafficking.

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France :​​

Article L413-10

Version in force since 02 December 2021

Created by LAW No. 2021-1539 of 30 November 2021 - art. 46 - Code de l'environnement

1. Ban on Acquiring and Breeding Non-Domestic Animals:

   • It is prohibited to buy, sell, or breed non-domestic species for use in traveling shows.

   • This ban takes effect two years after the law’s enactment (November 30, 2023).

2. Prohibition on Keeping and Transporting Non-Domestic Animals:

   • Traveling shows cannot keep, transport, or use non-domestic animals for performances starting seven years after the law’s enactment (November 30, 2028).

3. Animal Welfare Provisions:

   • Owners of affected animals will be provided with alternative accommodations ensuring the animals’ well-being.

4. Exceptions:

   • The Minister for Nature Protection can grant exceptions if suitable accommodations for the animals are unavailable.

5. Certificates and Permits:

   • New permits for keeping or showcasing non-domestic animals in traveling shows will no longer be issued, and existing permits will be revoked when animals leave.

6. Animal Registration:

   • Traveling establishments must register their animals in a national database within six months of the law’s promulgation.

This law seeks to protect wildlife and promote humane treatment by phasing out the use of non-domestic animals in traveling shows.

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Guinea :​

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES (CITES) No. 2023/128 Geneva, 23 November 2023 CONCERNING: APPLICATION OF ARTICLE XIII IN GUINEA

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

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Indonesia :​

• Orangutans are hunted for meat, body parts, and as illegal pets. Babies are often captured after their mothers are killed, driving further population decline.

• Orangutan skulls are hidden from public view in souvenir shops, unlike openly displayed monkey skulls.

• Hunters operate in oil palm plantation areas, where deforestation and fragmentation increase orangutans' vulnerability.

• Crimes often occur near orangutan habitats, especially in unprotected areas, and the animals are trafficked locally and internationally.

• While NGOs detect and report crimes, illegal killing and trafficking remain underreported, especially in remote areas.

• In contrast, crimes involving other species like Sumatran tigers receive higher prosecution rates and harsher sentences.

• The orangutan skulls trade violates Article 21 of Law No. 5/1990, which protects endangered species and their ecosystems.

• Despite legal protections, enforcement remains weak, allowing the trade to persist.​

• Orangutan crimes are rarely prosecuted. From 2007 to 2019, only 21 cases led to convictions. Punishments are light, with penalties as low as $35 or six months in jail.

• Illegal hunting and trafficking of orangutans in Indonesia continue to pose significant threats to these critically endangered species, with weak law enforcement allowing the crimes to persist.

• Officials often avoid legal action against local communities involved in orangutan crimes, prioritizing poverty alleviation and development over strict enforcement.

• Corruption allows high-ranking individuals to escape punishment, even when they illegally keep orangutans.

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Liberia :​

NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES No. 2018/012 CONCERNING: LIBERIA (22/01/2018)

All commercial trade in specimens of CITES-listed species are suspended.

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Nigeria :

Convention on Migratory Species - Gorilla Agreement National Report for Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei)

President Buhari signed the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Amendment Act in 2016. National Park legislation was also revised.

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United States :​

CHIMPANZEE HEALTH IMPROVEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND PROTECTION ACT - 106th Congress Public Law 551 (20/12/2000)

The Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act addresses the ethical treatment of chimpanzees previously used in federally funded research and establishes strict rules for their care and trade:

1. Chimpanzee Trade and Captivity:

   • Chimpanzees previously bred, purchased, or captured for research are classified as surplus chimpanzees if they are no longer needed for studies.

   • Once retired, they cannot be traded, sold, or subjected to research, except in rare cases approved by federal authorities under strict conditions.

2. Legislative Protections:

   • A national sanctuary system was created to provide lifetime care for retired chimpanzees.

   • Ownership of surplus chimpanzees is transferred to the sanctuary, ensuring they are not traded or exploited for commercial purposes.

   • Strict regulations prevent breeding and mandate comprehensive records of each chimpanzee's research history.

3. Rare Research Exceptions:

   • The law permits non-invasive studies under limited conditions, such as routine veterinary procedures.

   • Research involving physical removal or harm is prohibited unless deemed essential for public health, reviewed by experts, and involves minimal distress to the chimpanzee.

4. Regulations Against Illegal Trade:

   • Chimpanzees cannot leave the sanctuary system once accepted, protecting them from re-entering illegal or exploitative trade networks.

   • Only entities meeting stringent standards can manage sanctuaries, preventing misuse or neglect.

5. Legislative Oversight:

   • The Secretary of Health and Human Services oversees the sanctuary system, ensuring compliance with the law.

   • Annual reports to Congress track the number of retired chimpanzees and the use of public and private funds to care for them.

By regulating how chimpanzees are caught, traded, and retired, the act closes gaps that previously allowed exploitation while ensuring ethical treatment for those no longer used in research.

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Rules through the United States :

1. Alabama: Restrictions on exotic animals like giant snails, bobcats, and venomous reptiles unless permitted before 2021. No release of non-native animals without a license.

2. Alaska: Broad restrictions on wildlife, including wolf hybrids and chimpanzees. Some pets, like ferrets, are legal without a permit.

3. Arizona: Extensive restrictions require permits for many species like primates, foxes, and Gila monsters. Permits are issued for specific purposes like education.

4. Arkansas: Large carnivores and primates are restricted unless permitted before set years. Some venomous reptiles are allowed with permits, and up to six captive-bred animals like raccoons can be owned without a permit.

5. California: Prohibits most wild animals, including bears and primates, but allows hybrids like Savannah cats.

6. Colorado: Most exotic animals like primates and raccoons are banned, but hedgehogs and sugar gliders are allowed without permits.

7. Connecticut: Prohibits dangerous animals like bears and wolves. Limited ownership of primates allowed under specific conditions.

8. Delaware: Requires permits for exotic animals; no comprehensive list of banned animals is provided.

9. District of Columbia: Only common domestic pets like cats, dogs, and some birds are allowed. Exotic species are banned.

10. Florida: Animals categorized into Classes I-III, with varying permit requirements. Non-dangerous animals like ferrets are exempt.

11. Georgia: Strict permitting for wild animals like kangaroos and venomous snakes, while ferrets and sugar gliders are allowed under specific conditions.

12. Hawaii: Most exotic animals, including hedgehogs and ferrets, are banned. A limited number of domesticated animals are permitted.

13. Idaho: Prohibits animals harmful to agriculture, like wild boars and large cats. Llamas and guinea pigs are allowed without permits.

14. Illinois: Restricts dangerous animals like large cats and wolves to organizations. Existing primates are allowed if registered.

15. Indiana: Allows exotic animal ownership with permits for different classes, from squirrels to large predators.

16. Iowa: Restricts dangerous wild animals unless permitted before 2007. Hybrids of domestic species are allowed.

17. Kansas: Limits ownership of regulated animals like large cats, bears, and venomous snakes to approved facilities.

18. Kentucky: Bans inherently dangerous animals like primates and bears. Some permits available for non-dangerous species.

19. Louisiana: Requires permits for large snakes and prohibits endangered or dangerous species like bears and wolves.

20. Maine: Broad restrictions on exotic pets like giraffes and kangaroos. Some exotic animals like coati are permitted.

21. Maryland: Prohibits dangerous animals like primates and large cats unless registered before 2006.

22. Massachusetts: Strict restrictions on endangered species and venomous reptiles. Ferrets allowed under specific conditions.

23. Michigan: Restricts ownership of non-native species like large cats. Permits are available for captive-bred wildlife.

24. Minnesota: Prohibits regulated animals like large cats unless registered before 2005.

25. Mississippi: Requires liability insurance for permits to own inherently dangerous animals like elephants and primates.

26. Missouri: Requires registration of dangerous reptiles and mammals with law enforcement.

27. Montana: Requires annual permits for wild animals like large cats and bears. Many small exotics are legal without permits.

28. Nebraska: Captive wildlife permits needed for most wild animals, excluding certain species like skunks and bears.

29. Nevada: Relatively lenient, banning certain species like alligators but allowing primates and large cats.

30. New Hampshire: Controlled species like armadillos and cougars require permits.

31. New Jersey: Permits required for many species, including ferrets and primates. Some small animals are exempt.

32. New Mexico: Regulates zoonotic disease carriers like skunks and raccoons; local laws may impose additional restrictions.

33. New York: Prohibits most wild animals and hybrids; fines imposed for violations.

34. North Carolina: Exotic pet laws vary by county or city; no statewide restrictions.

35. North Dakota: Dangerous or hazardous animals like zebras and primates require licenses.

36. Ohio: Strict laws after a 2011 incident, banning dangerous wild animals like tigers and bears without permits.

37. Oklahoma: Permits required for venomous reptiles, while many exotic animals are exempt from regulation.

38. Oregon: Prohibits wild cat species and large predators; permits available for service monkeys.

39. Pennsylvania: Exotic wildlife permits required for animals like lions, wolves, and venomous snakes.

40. Rhode Island: Only specific organizations can own wild carnivores like lions and tigers.

41. South Carolina: Restricts large cats and apes unless registered by 2018.

42. South Dakota: Permits required for most exotic animals, with specific rules for raccoon dogs.

43. Tennessee: Classifies animals by risk level, requiring permits for certain classes.

44. Texas: Requires a certificate of registration for dangerous wild animals like wild cats and primates.

45. Utah: Controlled, noncontrolled, and prohibited animals require different levels of permitting.

46. Vermont: Requires permits for exotic animals not on the unrestricted list.

47. Virginia: Exotic animals like wild cats and crocodiles require permits.

48. Washington: Prohibits dangerous animals like bears and venomous snakes.

49. West Virginia: Requires permits with strict conditions for keeping wild animals.

50. Wisconsin: Requires licenses for wild animals, but some, like opossums and ground squirrels, are exempt.

51. Wyoming: Requires permits for most wildlife unless specifically exempted.

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Highlights:

• Stringent Restrictions: Hawaii, California, and New York are among the strictest states.

• Lenient Laws: Indiana and Nevada allow more exotic animals with fewer restrictions.

• Common Prohibitions: Dangerous animals like large cats, bears, primates, and venomous reptiles are frequently restricted.

• Permits: Most states offer permits for special cases like education or scientific purposes.

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Sexual trades : Pony's story

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See : Zoophilia

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Pony, an orangutan rescued from a brothel in Indonesia, symbolizes the cruelty of illegal wildlife trafficking and exploitation. This practice, driven by greed and enabled by deforestation and weak enforcement, continues to endanger orangutans, pushing them closer to extinction.

• Trafficking and Abuse:
  Pony was stolen as a baby, her mother likely killed in the process. Orangutans typically stay with their mothers for 7–11 years, making this separation devastating.

  • She was held in a brothel, chained to a bed, and forced to perform sex acts on men who paid her captors.

  • Her entire body was shaved every other day, leading to sores and infections. She was adorned with jewelry and perfume to make her appear “attractive.”

• Rescue and Recovery:

  • In 2003, it took 35 armed police officers to rescue Pony from the resistant local community, who depended on her for income.

  • Despite physical and emotional trauma, she displayed resilience, slowly regaining trust and adapting to her new life in the Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre.

  • Due to her prolonged captivity, Pony lacks survival skills and cannot be released into the wild

 

The Larger Issue: Illegal Trade

• Scale of the Problem:

  • Around 1,000 orangutans are killed annually, often to sell their babies on the black market. For every baby orangutan sold, up to four others are killed.

  • Traffickers sell orangutans for up to £10,000, with demand fueled by wealthy buyers, zoos, and even celebrities.

• Social Media’s Role:

  • Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have made it easier to buy and sell endangered animals. Baby orangutans are particularly prized for their cute appearance but grow into unmanageable adults.

 

Legislative and Conservation Challenges

• Weak Enforcement:

  • Despite laws protecting orangutans, enforcement remains inconsistent. Traffickers often operate without fear of punishment.

  • The illegal wildlife trade thrives due to corruption, limited resources, and growing online markets.

 

Pony’s story is a stark reminder of the suffering caused by the illegal wildlife trade. Stricter enforcement, community education, and international cooperation are crucial to protecting orangutans and ensuring their survival.

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