Born Free USA Animal Issues Digest Fall/Winter 2024
WELCOME
We began this year with a major task: To develop a strategy for the next three years, which will build on what we have already achieved and set us on a course for the future. After a deep analysis of our current work, we developed a comprehensive plan that will advance our mission of peaceful coexistence between humans and animals.
In this issue, you can read more about our three-year strategic roadmap (Page 10) and see the seeds of this vision already bearing fruit. You will read about our recent report on zoonotic diseases in the fur industry and about our work on Capitol Hill to put an end to the primate pet trade (Page 3). You will join us on the ground in West Africa as we work to end the illegal wildlife trafficking that is devastating species and ecosystems (Page 6). You will
meet our newest primate sanctuary resident, Julian (Page 8); learn about new resources we are developing to help people peacefully coexist with the wildlife around them (Page 9); and so much more.
None of this important work is possible without the support of compassionate wildlife advocates like you. I invite you to make a donation to Born Free USA; to symbolically adopt a sanctuary monkey or wildlife species (Pages 4 and 5), to purchase a primate sanctuary 2025 calendar (Page 8); or to join Born Free USA’s Women for Wildlife group (back cover).
Born Free’s vision is a world where animals can live free of human exploitation. Thank you for being part of our community and helping to build this future.
Warmly, Angela Grimes Chief Executive Officer Born Free USA
available on request. For reprints, and all editorial correspondence, please write to Animal Issues Digest editor at info@bornfreeusa.org. To get the latest information on wildlife issues and what you can do to help imperiled wild animals, become a member of Wildlife Alert Team at bornfreeusa.org/newsletters.
We work to ensure that all wild animals, whether living in captivity or in the wild, are treated with compassion and respect and are able to live their lives according to their needs. We seek to have a positive impact on animals in the wild and protect their ecosystems in perpetuity, for their own intrinsic value and for the critical roles they play within the natural world.
Art, Production & Editorial:
Arlene Harting-Josue, Graphic Designer Karen Lauria, Communications Director
Writers & Contributors: Shelley Brend; Wendy Coonrod; Suzanne Emerson; Angela Grimes; Gita Matlock; Devan Schowe; Alice Stroud; Dr. Liz Tyson.
As we continue to observe the negative impacts caused by the rapid spread of COVID-19 and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), our latest report, Risky Business: The Dangers of Zoonotic Disease in the Fur Trade, discusses the risks that fur farming poses to human public health, with these diseases as our focus.
There are more than 200 known illnesses that can spread between animals and humans, and an estimated 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic. In addition to COVID-19, 15 pandemics in the last century that infected or killed thousands of people around the world likely had a zoonotic origin, including SARS, Ebola, and MERS-CoV.
The U.S. is one of the top producers of fur in the world. Fur farms function as the perfect incubators for high-risk and easily transmissible diseases, which can ultimately
infect and kill humans. They also threaten wildlife and the environment in which farms are located and could be the cause of the next serious pandemic. We urge our supporters to call on their lawmakers to support the Mink VIRUS Act to ban fur farms for good.
Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/risky-business.
ADVOCATING FOR AN END TO PRIMATE PET OWNERSHIP ON CAPITOL HILL
In June, Born Free USA CEO, Angela, our lobbyist, Jenn, and two former “pet” monkey owners, Melissa and Erica, advocated for a ban on primates as pets on Capitol Hill.
Melissa and Erica shared with lawmakers their firsthand experience of purchasing and caring for monkeys, including the frightening experiences they both had of being attacked. Both women made the right decision to rehome their monkeys – Gizmo and Khy – into Born Free’s care so that they could live out their days with others of their own kind. Their unique perspectives led to multiple legislators making the decision to support the Captive Primate Safety Act to ban private ownership of primates. We appreciate Melissa and Erica’s willingness to work with us to end the suffering of primates kept in private homes. Thank you, Melissa and Erica!
Born Free USA CEO, Angela Grimes (center) with former monkey owners, Melissa and Erica on Capitol Hill.
SHOW YOU CARE WITH AN
Give your loved ones a gift that really makes a difference this holiday season!
There are so many special monkeys at the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary who need your support. For only $1 per week ($52 per year), you can help provide nutritious food, shelter, toys, loving care, and veterinary treatment to monkeys who have a second chance because of you. Monkey adoption packages come with a stunning photo of your adopted monkey along with his or her biography, a personalized certificate of adoption, and a huggable plush toy.
Willis, The Ball of Energy
Gizmo, The Expressive Greeter
Teddy, The Chatty Mischief Maker
Louie, The Shy Newbie
Freeman, The Miracle Monkey
Oscar, The Best Pal
Buddy, The Robust Athlete
Kiki, Miss Independent
Dawkins, The Aloof Giant
WITH AN ADOPTION GIFT!
Give a gift that gives back!
With our symbolic wildlife adoptions, rather than sponsoring an individual animal, you will be making a difference for an entire species! For just $1 per week ($52 per year), you can support Born Free USA’s work to protect your or a loved one’s favorite animal. Choose from twelve species of wildlife who are currently in need of protection or adopt them all! Wildlife adoption packages come with a photo of your chosen species in the wild, a fun factsheet, a personalized certificate of adoption, and an adorable plush toy.
Keep Wildlife in the Wild.
Or scan the QR code
Polar Bear
Fox Elephant
Giraffe Tiger
Grey Wolf
Bobcat
Ray
Cheetah
BORN FREE IN ACTION: FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME IN WEST AFRICA
Between 2015 and 2021, more than 13 million wild items (including live animals, plants, timber, and items used as food and medicine) were seized across 162 different countries. These seized products likely represent just a small fraction of the wild species that are illegally traded. Wildlife crime is truly a global industry, which INTERPOL estimates is worth up to $20 billion every year, and causes incalculable damage to biodiversity.
Illegal trade in elephant ivory alone is valued at as much as $570 million annually.
The sheer scale of the trade reflects the sophistication of the criminals involved. Transnational organized crime groups operate highly complex and well-resourced networks that use money laundering, corruption, and violence to achieve their aims. These networks also deal in weapons and drugs, and in many countries operate with impunity due to poor enforcement capacity and porous borders. As many as 100 rangers are killed every year trying to protect threatened species from these criminals.
Spotlight on Benin
In West Africa, Born Free USA is an implementing partner for USAID and the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). For several years, we have worked with countries in the region to address wildlife
crime via the development of National Wildlife Crime Strategies, the establishment of Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Forces, the provision of law enforcement trainings and resources, and other measures intended to support those on the front lines of the fight against wildlife crime.
So far, Benin, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Nigeria, Togo, and Niger have validated their new National Wildlife Crime Strategies and established Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Forces.
Benin has made especially important strides in protecting its wildlife from poaching and trafficking.
The Benin Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force
Benin is part of the Park W complex, one of the most important conservation areas in West Africa. Park W is home to the only remaining population of critically endangered cheetah in West Africa and it provides an important refuge for species such as wild dogs and elephants.
Benin established its Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force (WLETF) in 2023. This unit consists of representatives from several different government authorities, including the police, customs, and forestry. Born Free USA leads a program of training for the Benin WLETF (alongside nine other national task forces) to help develop the basic law enforcement intelligence and investigation skills necessary for the units to function proactively and effectively.
Born Free USA also provides mentoring support to the Benin WLETF. Mentoring enhances the professional growth of officers, helping them advance in their careers and be future leaders in wildlife law enforcement. Our mentoring has proved to be highly successful with several ongoing cases currently under investigation.
The web of illegal trafficking routes operating from West Africa.
Hundreds of Freshwater Turtles Saved
On August 5, 2024, the Benin WLETF seized 876 live freshwater turtles. The animals were discovered hidden in plastic bags in the back of a vehicle traveling from Nigeria. Unfortunately, only 626 turtles survived due to the poor conditions in which they were smuggled.
In total, four different turtle species were identified, including the West African black mud turtle, West African mud turtle, African helmeted turtle, and Adanson’s mud turtle. Their populations in the wild are declining due to capture for the international pet trade and oil spills in their habitats.
Thanks to emergency funding raised by Born Free USA’s supporters, as well as support from the Benin WLETF, local NGOs, and communities, the surviving turtles were released back into the wild, across seven different release sites.
Enforcement Champion: Ulysse Korogone
Ulysse Korogone is the CITES Focal Point and Team Leader of Benin’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force. From a young age, Ulysse decided he wanted to protect the environment and specialized in nature conservation at the University of Agronomy. Ulysse has been an integral part of enforcement efforts across West Africa, and here he shares with us his vision for the future:
Ulysse Korogone, CITES Focal Point and Team Leader of Benin’s Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force.
greater political interest, highly trained officers, and sustainable funding frameworks. I believe that, with the support of partners such as Born Free USA, our Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force will achieve outstanding results. Our aim is to discourage all traffickers from operating within our borders, so that we can secure the future of our wonderful environment and the communities that rely on it.”
Hard Work Pays Off in the Fight to Protect Wildlife
Successful rescues like that of the 626 trafficked turtles are evidence of our hard work paying off for the region’s animals. In addition to the recent turtle rescue in Benin, officials trained by Born Free USA have taken part of numerous seizures of trafficked wildlife and wildlife products, including the seizure of nearly 18,000 pounds of pangolin scales and other wildlife parts in Nigeria in 2021; the dismantling of a timber trafficking network in Guinea in 2021; the seizure of 1,700 python skins in Niger in 2022; the rescue of 36 trafficking grey parrots in Nigeria in 2024; and the destruction of a 2.5 ton ivory stockpile by Nigerian authorities in 2024.
We are honored to work alongside heroes for wildlife like Ulysse Korogone to protect the region’s precious animals from exploitation and extinction.
Learn more about victories in West Africa at bornfreeusa.org/category/west-africa/.
“As conservationists, our job is to protect magnificent wild animals and plants from destruction. In order to achieve this, we need
In March of this year, we received a request from a sanctuary that, like Bon Free, is part of the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries network. They had rescued a young Japanese macaque, but he was struggling to fit into a social group at their site. They asked if we would be willing to provide a home for him, as they knew we have large groups of his species of monkey. The hope was he could integrate into one of these groups and make friends.
And so it was that we met Julian. As a healthy young monkey, we were optimistic that he could be introduced to our 50-strong Japanese macaque troop that lives in a huge five-acre enclosure. With trees to climb, pools to soak in, and brush to forage and play in, the space could not be more different from the private home where Julian was illegally kept before.
It can be a challenge to introduce a new monkey to others and, due to the risk of a newcomer being rejected or even attacked; it is a process that takes time
and care. Thankfully, Julian quickly demonstrated that he was both sociable and diplomatic – meaning that he swiftly fit into the hierarchy of the group without disrupting its structure. On June 12, after a period of controlled acclimatization, Julian was set free into the enclosure. From that day forward, he has never looked back. Now, as our staff work around the site, it is common to see Julian playing, grooming, and exploring his new home. He is forging bonds with other youngsters, and we are excited to watch him learn how much fun it can be to monkey around!
As a sanctuary resident, Julian will receive high quality care for the rest of his life. But, he is one of the lucky ones and it is vital that we continue to campaign for an end to the trade in primates as pets to save other monkeys less fortunate than Julian.
Featuring 13 gorgeous photos of monkeys this calendar will make any monkey lover smile all year long! Sales go to support the care of the monkeys in the calendar and their hundredsof rescued friends. Get yours today for just $24 at bornfreeusa.org/sanctuarycalendars or by scanning the QR code.
NEW BOOK TELLS THE INSPIRING STORIES OF EIGHT SANCTUARY MONKEYS
We are excited to share with you that a brand-new photobook that tells the stories of eight primate sanctuary residents was published on September 17! With photographs by talented animal photographer, Ruth Montiel Arias, and words by Born Free’s Dr. Liz Tyson, the book –From Harm to Healing – became a top new publication in its Amazon category the week it was released.
Highlighting the challenges that monkeys face in recovering from the trauma of the pet trade, the book takes an open and honest look at the operation of an accredited wildlife sanctuary. As well as the monkeys’ stories, the book also includes essays from staff members who share their unique insights into the individuals under their care. We hope that this beautiful book will delight readers and be a testament to the urgent need for federal legislation to ban the cruel primate pet trade once and for all. From Harm to Healing is available online from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Lantern Publishing. Proceeds from sales go towards Born Free’s work.
Learn more at bornfreeusa.org/fromharmtohealingbook.
COMING SOON: COEXISTENCE GUIDES!
As human development increasingly encroaches on wildlife habitat, there has never been such urgency for us to learn to live peacefully alongside animals. In the coming months, we will share our new coexistence resources with supporters, which will provide instructions on how to manage interactions with many species, including animals considered dangerous. So, whether it is a raccoon in your attic, a rattlesnake in your yard, or a skunk in your crawlspace, you will find helpful information to carefully and humanely deal with issues without resorting to lethal control!
WE’VE MAPPED A COURSE, LET’S TRAVEL TOGETHER!
Earlier this year we did something audacious; we dared to chart a pathway forward built on hope, compassion, and data-driven strategy. We began with an assessment of where we are today and mapped where we wish to go over the next few years.
The result of this work is Born Free USA’s Three-Year Strategic Roadmap, an ambitious plan composed of three programmatic pillars, which will guide our mission to advance a world of peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Born Free USA aims to be a catalyst for positive change for wild animals by disrupting the exploitation of wildlife and promoting animal welfare.
Over the next three years, we will:
• Continue advocating for pro-wildlife legislation.
• Continue creating high quality resources on pressing wild animal welfare issues.
• Create a youth council to empower young leaders.
• Expand our advocacy work into schools.
• Strengthen state-level advocacy work on our key issues.
Born Free USA’s primate sanctuary aims to be a center of excellence in the care of rescued primates by leading in standards of care and sharing our knowledge.
Over the next three years, we will:
• Invest in our caregivers and staff by providing competitive compensation and opportunities for professional growth.
• Transform the infrastructure at the sanctuary, empowering the team to provide standard-setting care.
• Establish ourselves as an educational resource for sanctuary professionals from around the world.
Pillar Two: The Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary.
Pillar One: Wildlife Welfare and Advocacy.
Pillar Three: Wildlife Conservation.
As the only NGO collaborating with all 15 West African nations to enact broad wildlife protections, Born Free USA aims to address the biodiversity and extinction crises by combating wildlife exploitation and expanding our conservation impact.
Over the next three years, we will:
• Support the development of a West Africa biodiversity strategy contributing to the protection of 30% of land and seas for wildlife habitat by 2030.
• Facilitate the establishment of Wildlife Law Enforcement Task forces for at least three West African nations to support transboundary investigations, enforcement trainings, and ongoing mentorship.
• Support the launch of a regional West Africa Network to Combat Wildlife Crime, ensuring that all national Task Forces in the region can coordinate on enforcement efforts.
• Equip West African countries to ensure access to funds for conservation activities and hold nations accountable to meet their nature finance commitments.
This is an invitation to fight for wildlife.
You are an essential partner in advancing a world of peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. Together, we can turn the tide of mass extinction and ensure a future for wildlife and the wild spaces where they thrive.
Visit bornfreeusa.org/roadmap to learn how you can join us today.
P.O. Box 32160
Washington, DC 20007
301-448-1407
info@bornfreeusa.org www.bornfreeusa.org
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JOIN WOMEN FOR WILDLIFE
It is an exciting time to become part of Women for Wildlife as Born Free USA embarks on a new three-year strategic vision. We invite you to be part of this important journey!
Learn more about our projects and join at bornfreeusa.org/womenforwildlife. You may also include your membership donation with the reply envelope in this magazine. Please include “Women for Wildlife” on your check memo. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
