EAZA Ape Campaign 2011 - ways to participate

E

eazaapecampaign

New Member
I've seen some mentions of the EAZA Ape Campaign elsewhere in the ZooChat forums so I thought it might be useful to post some information here. The campaign was launched at the EAZA conference in Verona recently and member zoos have started to sign up over the last couple of weeks. You can find lots of information about the campaign and see who has signed up by visiting the dedicated campaign website:

www.apecampaign.org

One aspect of the campaign that differs slightly to previous EAZA campaigns is that we are actively inviting individuals and groups to raise funds directly for the campaign, over and above any activities taking place in EAZA member zoos. (With the ambitious target of raising €1 million we need to look beyond the normal sources of funding for these campaigns.) Anyone taking on The 3333 Challenge and pledging to raise money for the campaign will be listed on the campaign website and will be eligible for the same range of certificates as those to be awarded to participating zoos. The challenge might be of interest to schools, staff organisations, community groups, etc...

Two staff members from the Executive Office, including yours truly, have already pledged to take the challenge. So if you'd like to organise something for the campaign, please do let us know. The email address to contact the campaign is info[at]apecampaign.org.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have about the campaign.

Regards,
Eoghan
 
This sounds exciting. I was pleased to see in today's "Herald Express" newspaper that Paignton, my local zoo, is taking part so I'll be very interested to see how I can do my bit there.

Quote:
Mammoth campaign to save mammals

TWO of South Devon's leading wildlife conservationists are heading an international campaign to save apes from extinction.

Neil Bemment, curator of mammals at Paignton Zoo, and Dr Vicky Melfi, senior researcher for the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust which runs the zoo, are on the six-strong steering committee for the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria ape campaign.

Mr Bemment has a leading role overseeing the breeding of orangutan and gorillas.

Dr Melfi is a specialist in gibbons, as well as the critically endangered Sulawesi crested black macaque, a monkey found in Indonesia.

The campaign focuses on public awareness, political lobbying and raising one million euros across the Continent.

Dr Melfi said: "It's a big total, but if we can't save our closest relatives from extinction, then we certainly are in trouble.

"We hope to raise this sum by zoos or individuals taking up the 3,333 euro challenge.

"If 300 zoos or individuals can each make this figure, then we'll hit our target."

Paignton Zoo has pledged to raise 9,999 euros.

The campaign focuses on habitat loss, hunting and health problems.

The zoo says palm oil production is perhaps the biggest single issue in habitat loss as the oil is used in around 40 per cent of Britain's 100 best-selling grocery brands, accounting for £6 billion of the £16 billion spending on brand names.

Mr Bemment said: "Clearing land to grow palm oil is destroying forests.

"Paignton Zoo is trying to go palm oil-free in all its retail and catering activities, but the substance is in so many products that it is proving very difficult.

"Consumers are in a very strong position to buy with conscience, and avoid palm oil products, or choose those from sustainably sourced plantations."
 
We have a campaign going on on Facebook to warn of the implications on palm oil production for orang utan, gibbon and some Colobine primates. This has led to Adelaide adopting the chocie bar campaign to Nestle et al.

What sorta pledges are you looking at?
 
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