Open Knowledge (FSC OK)

The long-term survival of Africa's great apes has become increasingly uncertain. Dramatic declines in their population numbers have resulted from a combination of factors, including hunting, habi- tat loss and infectious disease. Although African apes are species of international concern, and despite concerted efforts since the 1980s to create protected area networks, develop conserva- tion action plans and establish policy agreements, their populations continue to decrease. Future projections indicate that this trend will continue unless significant measures to reduce existing threats are taken immediately. The permanent disappearance of any ape species from the wild would be a huge loss to African biodiversity, to the important ecological function they play, and to our shared evolutionary heritage.