How Not to Talk to an Ape Smuggler

I find it interesting that you would would whip out your $2000 laptop on a canoe surrounded by unknown villagers, while a photographer with (probably) a more expensive camera takes your photo. Aside from being culturally and socially insensitive, that would seem foolish for a reporter whose mission "was to observe [his] illicit operation firsthand, which meant not scaring him off." The smugglers probably knew what was happening the whole time, and got Mr. Stiles money anyway. In the interesting of being more successful, I hope Mr. Stiles chooses to work with less reporters tagging along next time.

In a situation like this, the fact that you were embedded into a police activity and a criminal investigation may outweigh the journalistic guidelines you would feel compelled to hue to in another setting such as with a military assignment. Jeopardizing a police investigation is not just an ethical issue but a legal one, while your journalistic concerns fall squarely in the camp of professional standard. I appreciate that you share this internal debate as it is a side of public discourse we rarely hear examined. Would that our public leaders spend more time honestly examining their own ethical conflicts.

The only way this is going to stop is by executing traffickers and quickly. Duterte understands how to deal with these kind of people and their cousins. Certainly a few eggs will be broken. Do you want an omelet or more animals to become extinct? Mano Po.

My son is Vice Consul at the U.S. Embassy in Thailand. I've never heard anything from him about this. I find that surprising. He spent months with me and all the family I could bring, while I filmed on the Serengeti. While I was filming in Tanzania, we slept in tents and could feel herds of elephants thump by us. This is beyond sad. China, hang your head in shame!

Quite like the sex trafficking “business”.

Intriguing stuff Jeffery ! "Tom" - if you are seeing this , man, you sound like a well educated, sauve operator in a dangerous world. You should reach out to Jeffery , the NYT reporter and give him a peek in to your world ! Risky, dangerous, even glamorous for you perhaps - its a story that needs to be told bro ! Who knows, someone might even make a movie out of your life ! They made one about blood diamonds , why not one about you ? Help shine a light man . Time for the really big leagues - call the NYT reporter ! Reach out to Jeffery - you can make it happen !

Years of information. Humans continue to believe that a wild or exotic animal can be a 'pet'. Bear cubs, great ape babies, great cats. They grow and then, oops, too big, too rough, too expensive. Then it's off to someplace whre someone will do something. Humans do not always do a great job on their own offspring so why would they think they could do well with a species they also know nothing about? Jenny speaks

Thank you for your amazing report. it so sad to see these being treated so cruelly for illicit gain. The photograph showing the chimpanzee begs the question - who is the more evolved primate? If it is us, then we have evolved into human depravity.

Ultimately it is all humanity that will pay the price for tolerating this behavior. With every tortured animal and every cut forest, we slowly secure our own doom.

Thank you. Thank you. Really excellent work for an issue that needs more attention.

With family in Kenya, I’ve long appreciated Mr. Gentleman’s reporting. But this article solidifies my respect and admiration. An ethical dilemma—how refreshing in these times!

It's a tightrope walk in many situations in life, not just reporting, not to tell someone what you don't want them to know (and which you have a right to keep from them) while not lying. I'm glad you seem to have kept your balance.

Great piece. How did it end?!

It seems the efforts to end trade in the world’s wildlife heritage is way down the scale of policy makers’ attention. Like the illegal drug trade, as long as there is demand there will be supply and no one is immune to the glamor of boasting about owning exotic animals and putting them on display. And even where bans exist greedy individuals intent on owning the seemingly unattainable have the means and ways of getting around the restrictions by those thinking such ownership cute. It’s not cute, and the animals, if they survive the journey, are abused. Clearly, we’ve learned nothing from the tiger in a Bronx, NY apartment nor the woman who had her face rearranged by a friend’s chimp. Sadly, the tragedy remains that many animals are going extinct because of pigheaded humans who are both ignorant and stupid - when the last animal is no more what then for this trade? What will poachers do then, start capturing humans? If it’s not drugs, it’s exotic animals and undoubtedly it is the callous indifference and demand driving both.

Your job is not easy or glamorous but so meaningful. Is there nothing we won't sell to make a buck? Planet if the Apes was perhaps on to something deeper than a sci-fi movie.

I find it so frustrating that Trump and his supporters could ever question the integrity of The New York Times - home to journalists who struggle over ethical quandaries like the ones described - while blindly trusting outlets like Breitbart and Fox News. There are good people on all sides? No, sorry, there is no equivalency between the mainstream media and the Trump-supporting media. Can you imagine any Fox News reporter struggling with an issue like this? No, because a Fox News reporter would have turned down this assignment for the chance to go big game hunting with Don Jr and Eric.

We have another case of stronger sentient beings removing weaker sentient beings from their homes and habitats solely for financial gain. Sounds like slavery for the "enlightened" 21st Century...

Yes, that's a tough one. Your only solution for avoiding a flat-out lie would have been to decide to adopt the two apes yourself, in which case you could honestly wax eloquent about the fine life you would give them. But that's a bit above and beyond...

Truly a pity that after all the time and effort "Tom" was not caught. A sting with no stinger.

Fantastic that NYT is giving this any attention at all given the current national naval gazing. More please.

Less careful lines perhaps and a little more swordplay. You can't say that the left column on the Times' front page is not fighting the good fight these days can you? It's increasingly us against them and so be it.

Well, I wonder if this conversation altered Tom's plans to show up himself at the drop-off of the two orangutans. Perhaps it spooked him because Jeff wasn't more involved in the call. While there are journalistic rules to abide by in normal situations, there is also common sense in the heat of the moment.