Stop the Illegal, Commercial Bushmeat Trade
Chimpanzees share 98% of our genetic make-up. Much like us, these intelligent and social beings form strong family bonds, seek to protect each other from harm, and nurture their young.
However, humans are directly contributing to the demise of wild chimpanzee populations through the thriving illegal commercial bushmeat trade.
Chimpanzees killed and sold as bushmeat are often shot by poachers or caught in snare traps, causing immense pain and suffering when wire constricts around a hand or foot. Infant chimpanzees are too small to fetch a good price for meat, so after hunters kill their mothers, these orphans are often sold into the cruel exotic pet trade.
If you believe in a future for these amazing beings, send a message to your representatives that you are outraged at the slaughter of chimpanzees, and urge them to:
- Strengthen regulations related to the international trade of endangered species; and
- Discourage destructive industrial practices that facilitate the bushmeat trade.
To [Your Senators and Representatives]:
I am outraged by the killing of chimpanzees and other great apes for the illegal commercial bushmeat trade, a cruel practice that is pushing great apes and other endangered species to the brink of extinction.
[Your comment will be added here]
As your constituent, I strongly urge you to support efforts to discourage the bushmeat trade and other destructive activities -- such as irresponsible mining and logging practices -- that contribute to it.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
