ANIMAL WELFARE »» ANIMAL HABITATS »» GREAT APES »» Apr 22, 2024

Apes are the closest relatives to humans in the animal world, sharing more than 96% of their DNA with us. The great apes, including gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans are now in danger of extinction. Poachers shoot them, smugglers sell their babies as exotic pets, illegal loggers destroy the rain forests where they live, and civil wars drive them from their habitat. All of the world’s ape species are at risk of extinction. Along with elephants, apes are regarded as the “gardeners of the forests” by spreading seeds and pruning branches. Today, there are believed to be about 400,000 great apes in Africa and Asia, compared to millions in the 19th century. These species will become extinct within the next 15-20 years if action is not taken to halt their decline. Advocates say ape habitat must be protected, law enforcement must be given more resources to prevent smuggling, and countries inhabited by apes should be encouraged to regard them as an asset, making them the center of their tourism industries. Our Fish and Wildlife Service manage the Multinational Species Conservation Fund which funds conservation efforts for elephants, rhinoceros, tigers, marine turtles and Great Apes. The Semipostal Stamp Act of 2009 enabled the general public to contribute to these efforts by purchasing wildlife postage stamps. Pending Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.6023 - Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2021 Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Jim Costa (CA) I oppose reforming current Great Ape policy, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA). I support directing the U.S. Postal Service to sell each copy of the Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal Stamp and notify Congress when all copies have been sold, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Costa (CA)and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

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I support directing the U.S. Postal Service to sell each copy of the Multinational Species Conservation Fund Semipostal Stamp and notify Congress when all copies have been sold, and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Costa (CA)and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.

Trustee Candidates

Representative If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Jim Costa (CA) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting him to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.6023 - Multinational Species Conservation Funds Semipostal Stamp Reauthorization Act of 2021, or a similar version thereof. Wildlife Conservation Society If elected as a trustee, Wildlife Conservation Society will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to protect Great Apes. Mission: WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity. WCS's goal is to conserve the world's largest wild places in 14 priority regions, home to more than 50% of the world's biodiversity.

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