ProFauna Primate Campaign

Frame Work 2005-2009

Contents

• Objectives
• Background Information

 

Objectives:

1. To increase public awareness and concern not to purchase or keep primates/apes.
2. To increase public awareness not to hunt or consume primates.
3. To urge the Government to set up and enforce laws against trading in protected primates/apes.
4. To spread information to younger generations about the importance of primate conservation from the aspects of ecology, culture, science and national and local economy.

Background Information:

Primates/apes are the most traded wildlife after birds. 100% of primates and apes are captured from wild. The hunt for primates/apes for meat takes place in many places including Banyuwangi (Jawa(, Bali, Lampung and West Sumatera. Several species of primates such as the Kukang or Slow Lemur (Nycticebus Coucang) or Lutung ( lesser apeTrachypethecus Auratus) are believed to be a cure for illness, although there is no clinical proof.

Primates/apes have much in common with humans, in terms of their morphology, behavior or physiology. There are close biological and other links between humans and apes. Nevertheless, there are many people who are not even able to distinguish between types of primates. Most of the public can only recognize popular primates/apes such as Orangutans and Siamang (Hylobates syndactylus). In fact there are more than 35 species of primates/apes living in Indonesia.

ProFauna has been actively campaigning for primates/apes protection since 1996. In 1999 ProFauna together with IPPL (International Primate Protection League) successfully stopped a plan to export primates/apes to USA and Canada. In 2001 ProFauna ran a mobile campaign in Java and Bali entitled ‘Primate Freedom Tour’. In 2002 ProFauna together with Yayasan Alas (The Association of Observer and Environmental Conservation) successfully stopped the trade in monkey meats used in certain restaurants in Bandar Lampung (Sumatra). In 2003 ProFauna successfully unveiled an international syndicate in the illegal trade of orangutans in Jakarta.