Indonesia exports silvery gibbons to the UK

[Guest guest]

About a month ago Indonesia exported five silvery gibbons, a highly

endangered species that lives only on the island of Java, to Howletts

Zoo. The zoo was founded by the late casino multi-millionare John

Aspinall and is now run by his son Damian Aspinall. You can meet this

interesting character at

 

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-7606192-details/Me%2C+Donna+and+the+g\

orillas/article.do;jsessionid=b2fvH2sXrg16Lqp6WvkMGhFXQCGf5yxvQSgnCZZltvVvvnhkcJ\

fh!1424677599!-1407319345!7101!7102

 

Several Javan langurs were also shipped. Some non-primate animals are

slated to be exported, I'm not sure what is on the entire shopping

list or conservation exchange agreement however one views it.

 

On arrival it was confirmed that all five of the silvery gibbons were

infected with tuberculosis. Their fate is unknown as of this time. TB

in primates can be treated. Most labs don't bother. The work involved

costs more than getting a new monkey.

 

This is part of a large deal arranged by Willie Smits of the

apparently-defunct Gibbon Foundation many years ago. Under the

agreement four male gorillas were shipped to the Schmutzer Primate

Center at Jakarta Zoo. The zoo would like female gorillas and

apparently this is part of the agreement under which the silvery

gibbons were shipped. IPPL fails to understand how exhibiting

gorillas will help Indonesia's unique red apes who are in desperate straits.

 

All gibbons are on Appendix I of the Convention on International

Trade in Endangered Species.

 

 

Dr. Shirley McGreal, Founder

International Primate Protection League

PO Box 766

Summerville, SC 29484, USA

Phone - 843-871-2280, Fax- 843-871-7988

 

E-mail - smcgreal, Web: www.ippl.org

Working to Protect All Primates Since 1973

 

One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly

making exciting discoveries. ~ AA Milne