Zagreb Zoo

Date: 17.05.2012.

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), of whom Zagreb Zoo is a member, will focus attention on apes this year. They will bring attention to their uniqueness, how similar to humans they are, how fast they are disappearing and the problems they face every day.

Apes are in danger of extinction due to poaching, habitat loss and disease. There are 6 species of apes and 16 species of gibbons. According to the IUCN red list, every one of those species is endangered in some way or another. For example, Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), is on the verge of extinction and the number of 20 individuals in the wild sounds terrifying. The western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) population is not in a better position with less than 400 individuals.

If we prevent the disappearance of apes, we help not only these magnificent animals but also the entire tropical rainforest eco system. Apes are an important link in forest food chain and directly participate in spreading the seeds of number of plant species.

Along with raising awareness about the serious problems that threaten Apes and supporting the funds, the goal of this campaign is also collecting resources to support conservation projects.

The selected projects together cover all apes. Selected projects are:
- Awely Green Caps – working on the problems of poaching and illegal trade of bonobos in the DR Congo
- FFI Cao Vit Gibbon Conservation Project – raising awareness about habitat loss of Cao-vit crested gibbons in China.
- Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Programme – they want to secure the survival of Orangutans on Borneo
- Dja Biosphere Reserve – they point out the problems of chimpanzees and gorillas in Cameroon

Basic goals of the campaign:
- to reduce habitat loss and increase habitat protection,
- to reduce hunting and trade of apes (living or dead),
- to change consumer behavior to reduce pressure on apes and their habitats,
- to raise funds to establish a lasting fund providing ongoing financial support for ape conservation projects.