For all ape species the conservation of their natural habitat is essential to help ensure their future survival. Habitat conservation can only be achieved through the combined actions of a wide range of people, from scientists and local park guards to zoos, educators and consumers.
Through the careful study of the relationships between plants and animals, scientists can identify what makes a successful habitat. The study of wild ape habitats increases our knowledge of the number of apes such habitats can support and enables the production of plans for effective habitat protection. The provision of reliable scientific evidence can help to convince policymakers and politicians of the importance of conserving ape habitats.
Park rangers and local officials are at the forefront of active habitat conservation. Through patrolling vulnerable ape habitats they reduce instances of illegal hunting, logging and other activities. They work to stop poachers, removing their traps and confiscating living victims of the trade in wild apes.
Education is central to successful habitat conservation, both in raising awareness of the issues and teaching people what can be done. Such education can be carried out through schools, zoos, museums and NGOs. Education of local communities where the apes live is also important. Local NGOs and park rangers play an important role in educating local people about the need for habitat conservation.
Zoos are uniquely positioned to contribute significantly to the conservation of ape habitats through campaigns to raise awareness and through the provision of accessible and fun educational opportunities. Research carried out by zoos, both ex situ in the zoos themselves and in the field, also makes a valuable contribution to understanding what apes need from their natural habitats.
What can consumers do?
Consumers can have a very significant positive impact on habitat conservation efforts. We can avoid buying products which require the destruction of rainforests, like tropical hardwood or products containing palm oil. Where possible we should look for Fair Trade or sustainably sourced products that provide a fair income to people living alongside these habitats. The active lobbying of companies and authorities whose practices lead to habitat loss can help to encourage them to work instead for habitat conservation.
Another way of protecting habitats into the future is through the purchase of key pockets or corridors of rainforest. This helps to ensure not just that habitats continue to exist, but also that they are connected, helping to avoid the isolation of ape populations. Such purchases can also bring welcome income to the countries in question.
All of these activities require funding. People, companies, institutions and authorities that cannot actively contribute to the conservation of the natural habitat of humankind’s closest relatives can make a valuable contribution by giving their financial support.
