Pet trade puts orangutans at risk (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News website

The trade in Sumatran orangutans for pets shows little sign of decline and is taking the species to the brink of extinction, a report concludes.

Compiled by Traffic, the international wildlife trade monitoring network, it suggests that more orangutans are being traded than in previous decades.

The species is listed as critically endangered, with only about 7,000 left.

Traffic says Indonesian authorities need to pursue prosecutions and heavy penalties against illegal traders.

The Sumatran orangutan is protected under national laws and international conventions.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8000909.stm

[AlecBGreen]

1. selling them as pets isnt helping matters

but I have to wonder if the deforestation of the island of sumatra has more to do with it? :shrug:

[Meeker Morgan]

2. What kind of fool keeps and orangutan as a pet? n/t