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Many range countries are engaged in a process that aims to pro-
tect the great apes. This process needs sustained and coordinated
actions on the ground to ensure the survival of great apes.
Along with governments, the public should play an important
role to establish partnerships for the conservation of primates and
other wildlife. Opportunities for transitions to Green Economies
should also be explored, in order to ensure sufficient resources
for the rural and urban populations living in great apes habitats.
The countries that host these primates, including those who
import and consume these species for meat and trophies, are
called upon to close their respective borders to put an end to
this sinister international traffic.
We are convinced of the progress that is observed across great
apes range States in West and Central Africa, and see this UN-
EP-GRASP report as a way to raise awareness among stakehold-
ers to promote great ape conservation. Only by understanding
how many primates are taken from their natural environments
each year, can we put an end to this black market.
We welcome the efforts started by many other governments
around the world towards this objective.
Henri Djombo
Minister, Forest Economy and Rural Development,
Republic of Congo
PREFACE
The countries of West and Central Africa are home to populations of gorillas, chimpan-
zees and bonobos. These great apes make up an important part of our natural heritage.
But as with all things of value, great apes are used by man for commercial profit and
the illegal trafficking of the species constitutes a serious threat to their existence.
The countries that host these
primates, including those who
import and consume these species,
are called upon to put an end to
this sinister international traffic.