Speak out for chimpanzees!
Tell the USFWS That You Support Protection for
All Chimpanzees
On June 11, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed a rule that would declare all chimpanzees members of an endangered species. This rule would put an end to "split-listing" chimpanzees, in which wild chimpanzees are considered endangered, but captive chimpanzees are not. This split-listing has allowed the use of captive chimpanzees in biomedical research, entertainment, and the pet trade in the United States. Not only has this status allowed captive chimps to be harmed, it has undermined conservation efforts on behalf of wild chimpanzees. The presence of trained chimpanzees in movies and TV, as well as the use of chimpanzees in medical experiments, has led to the misconception that chimpanzees are not in danger of extinction.
Save the Chimps supports declaring all chimpanzees members of an endangered species. The proposed rule will help to reduce (but not eliminate, due to legal loopholes) the use of chimpanzees in invasive research, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade. It will also emphasize the United States' commitment to supporting conservation efforts on behalf of wild chimpanzees, whose populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and poaching.
Following the USFWS announcement of its proposed rule, the NIH announced that it would be significantly reducing the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research. These changes in US policy towards our closest cousins spell a brighter future for chimpanzees, but your voice of support is still needed to ensure that all chimpanzees get the protection they deserve.
The proposed rule is subject to public comments, which are due by August 12, 2013. Help chimpanzees by submitting your comments today in support of declaring all chimpanzees endangered.
You may also mail comments to:
Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R9-ES-2010-0086; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
Suggested Comments
(Please note, using your own words is best!)
As a citizen who is concerned about the future of both wild and captive chimpanzees, I support the elimination of separate listings for captive and wild chimpanzees under the Endangered Species Act, and listing them as one entity, endangered. ESA protections should be extended to all chimpanzees, regardless of where they reside. I wish to see the end of the use of captive chimpanzees in biomedical research, the entertainment industry, and the pet trade, and a renewed emphasis on the conservation of wild chimpanzees. Thank you for reviewing this important issue.
Thank you for speaking out on behalf of chimpanzees around the world.