Great apes which consist of four common species: orangutans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos resemble us physiologically and genetically. Our closest cousins are in deep trouble and are on the verge of extinction more than ever before. According to an estimate, we are losing 3000 great apes every year because of illegal wildlife trade, susceptibility to diseases like Ebola virus and COVID-19, zoonotic diseases, hunting of endangered species, deforestation, and habitat destruction at a massive scale.

The global right concert is working to create awareness to stop the devastating effects of these practices to save these super-intelligent species.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

Great ape in captivity

The animal trafficking in Africa, China, the Middle East, and anywhere involves hunting, capturing, and putting wild animals in the cage as pets or in circuses or zoo exhibits. This animal abuse is on the peak.

Deforestation And Mining Affect On Apes

Primates are on the verge of extinction’ as deforestation and mining put an end to their natural habitat.

Between 2001 to 2015, 160 million hectares of woodland were lost in the tropics due to human actions

Tropical rain forests are being burnt to make land clear for agriculture especially for palm oil trees plantation. This is currently a very big issue for the extinction of many species including great apes. According to IUCN, about 76% of primate species are under threat due to agriculture.

Asia’s great ape, the orangutan is in big trouble. Every day, more and more of the rainforest is being destroyed-mainly for palm trees plantations. Who pays the price? the orangutans! They are burning alive in forests while burning the forests to plant palm trees.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Affect On Apes

Human-wildlife conflict occurs when both wild animals and humans compete for the same space to live. Humans are always on the top of this type of conflict and animals are always the victim.  We need to find some reasonable solutions that ensure the survival of other animals not only due to moral-ethical reasons,  but survival of other species is also very important for healthy ecosystems.

Illegal Hunting Of Endangered Apes Species

Hunting for meat

Many endangered species are being hunted for bushmeat is another big danger for many wild animals including great apes. This animal cruelty is getting higher and has become the most persistent danger to Africans apes.   

Ebola Virus

This fatal virus has shattered human and nonhuman primates equally. The extremely transmittable virus has claimed the lives of thousands of apes and threatened the presence of the most critically disappearing great primates in the world.

COVID19

Primates and COVID-19, another threat to already disappearing species.

Great apes are already facing several dangers, COVID19 is another hazard to the great ape population in the world, all of which are classified either as endangered or critically endangered.

Accordingly, the IUCN experts have suggested the suspension of great ape tourism and the decline of the field research. In response to the call, the majority of gorilla places have been closed.

It’s a time to create awareness worldwide for animal rights through social media, movies, TV stations, online TV, radio stations, concerts, etc. YouTube marketing and Facebook marketing should also play an important role in creating awareness for the survival of our closest relatives. Let no one be left behind in helping these super-intelligent creatures.

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