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Apes in Crisis (April 11, 2003, Two)

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Program Summary

The great apes of West Africa are in great danger. Already on the endangered species list because of habitat destruction, chimpanzees and gorillas are also imperiled by a rise in hunting and numerous outbreaks of the Ebola virus in the region. Dr. Peter Walsh of Princeton University estimates that the ape population has been cut in half in the last 20 years. If the situation continues, we may live in a world without apes.

Traditionally, only local villagers hunted “bushmeat” for food (even though it is illegal to do so in some countries), but food shortages have substantially increased its demand. Commercial hunters have gained access to remote areas opened up by the logging industry and are decimating the ape population. Better law enforcement and larger budgets earmarked for the animals’ protection are necessary to save the apes, but, according to Dr. Walsh, for now there are competing interests in Gabon and other countries in the region.

Just as serious is the effect the deadly Ebola virus has had on the great apes. The fatal, untreatable disease swiftly and painfully kills 80 percent of its human victims; it kills 90 to 95 percent of the apes it infects. Several outbreaks among humans have occurred in West Africa since 1994, which have been contained by closing the outbreak areas to movement in or out of the affected regions. Such control is impossible among the apes, however, and little is known about the dynamics of the disease in wildlife. Immediate research is needed to trace the path of Ebola among the apes and to develop a vaccine that could save them. Because the virus is transmitted from apes to humans through bites and consumption of infected meat, the case for enforcing hunting bans is further strengthened.

Guests

Peter Walsh, visiting research fellow at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey

Related Links and Resources

CNN.com, April 6, 2003: “Hunting, Virus Threaten Wild Apes”
Nature.com, March 31, 2003: “Double Threat Decimates Apes”
WashingtonPost.com, April 5, 2003: “Africa's Apes Are Imperiled, Researchers Warn”

For Discussion:

• What is threatening the apes of West Africa?
• What is bushmeat and why has the hunting of it increased?
• Why can’t the Ebola virus be contained in the wild?
• Why is Ebola infection among apes dangerous for humans?
• The need to protect animals often clashes with the needs of humans. Is one more important than the other? How would you decide whether to help the animals or the humans?
• If great apes disappeared, how do you think it would affect the balance of nature?

Activities

Disappearing act. National Geographic News’ “UN Launches Campaign to Save Last Great Apes in the Wild” discusses The Great Apes Survival Program, a global project to aid apes in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. The Explorer’s Notebook feature “Orangutans Headed Toward 'Catastrophe'” profiles problems that threaten the orangutans of Indonesia and the efforts by some conservationists to care for orphan orangs and return them to the wild. View the photo gallery of orangutans.

Bye, bye, biodiversity. There are endangered species all over the world. Why Preserve Biodiversity?, a lesson plan at National Geographic Xpeditions, emphasizes the importance of preserving species and environment. Many thoughtful discussion questions and project ideas are included. The San Diego Zoo offers interesting Biodiversity Activities, such as asking students to allocate three million dollars of funding to a variety of species, some attractive, some not so nice.

Go ape. DiscoverySchool.com’s The Great Apes lesson plan focuses on studying intelligence in great apes. The lesson plan encourages research, discussion, and experiment design. Follow the link to African Primates at Home, which has photos, facts, and even recorded vocalizations of a variety of primates.

Rain, rain, go away. Rainforest Action Network: Kids' Corner is a colorful and informative site that educates students about rainforests and their dubious future. The Teachers and Students page has links to information about the rainforests’ benefits, species extinction, and how kids can contribute to the effort to save the rainforests. Rainforest Lesson Plan Ideas has suggestions for activities that meet standards in English, art, math, science, social science, and drama. While they are primarily for elementary students, many can easily be adapted for older children.

S.O.S for species. Students study the role of genetics in saving endangered species at National Geographic Xpeditions’ DNA and Endangered Species and can read how scientists are using their research to help animals at Around the World with DNA, part of the on-line “Gene Scene” exhibit by the American Museum of Natural History.

It adds up. The explosion in the world’s human population has had dramatic effects on species. The New Zoos: Zoos as Arks (PBS.org) provides a graphic activity and discussion questions that help students understand the impact of population growth on the survival of endangered creatures. American Field Guide: Threatened Species and Public Policy, also PBS, examines the Endangered Species Act with several lessons, activities, and video clips.

Use the search box below to perform a Google search within any of the specifc sites or general domains mentioned in this Activities section.

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