Horrifying and sad. I support the death penalty for all people who traffic in this atrocity.
2
Thank you, NY Times for this article. while I don't always agree with the focus of your reporting, I am happy that you are doing something to change behaviors, inform us and make this world a better place. keep at it! and again, thank you!
I hope the focus you bring to this issue gets something changed.
5
This article leaves me indescribably sad.
5
I'm feeling sadness for all the ape mamas who've had their babies snatched from them.
3
About six months before National Geographic put a photo of a "newly discovered" ape on its cover, I had seen the loving bonobo in Namibia. I was astounded by their grace, dignity, intelligence, and caring for each other. The first time I witnessed them, they were crossing a freeway. All six held hands, looked both ways, and crossed protecting each other. I studied all I could about them. What's important to me is this, they are genetically closer to us than chimpanzees are. They are genetically closer to us than they are to chimpanzees. I have to ask what happened to human beings, because the bonobo is 100% non-aggressive. They're sexual with and loving to each other. I love bonobos. They are truly, "make love, not war," creatures. No chest pounding! No wars for females or territory! Again, they're our closest animal. How did human beings stray so? When?
11
Up to 180,000 pounds of wildlife meat is smuggled into the US every year, according to investigative journalists. This is a threat to human health as well as a cause of cruelty to apes.
There’s an easy way to speak out against the horrors of the bushmeat trade. Sign the petition to stop the smuggling of African ape meat into the US:
https://www.pasaprimates.org/stopbushmeat/
2
Joy and exhilaration from watching the NYC Marathon....to sadness and anger from reading this devastating article. Broken-hearted that we have these vile humans in our world. Terrorism taking place on our streets....and in our jungles.
4
I just finished reading a biography of a woman who as a young girl was kidnapped and dropped off in the rainforest of Columbia....she lived there alone with a "tribe" of monkeys who took care of her in all ways. It so poignantly describes the caring culture of these apes. Read it if you can...deeply affecting.
The Girl With No Name by Chapman, Marina
6
I'd like to compliment the NYT on the superb photo of the Bonobo at the top of the article. These fascinating apes are (even) more humanlike in appearance than chimpanzees.
5
What's wrong with our species? An arch-predator, that preys on other species and destroys not only its habitat own but also the habitats of all other species in a relentless drive to consume and despoil all we touch. I'm ashamed.
11
Maybe a market can be developed where the smugglers and poachers are hunted?
6
We talk about saving animals from extinction, but it never happens. Soon, we will be very, very sorry. As long as you continue to vote for criminals who don't care about you, or this world we live in.
10
This is a reply to "soon we will be very, very sorry" for how we've treated these animals. I believe soon we will be "very very" extinct for how we treated each other. We have become homo stupidens.
6
Susan--Absolutely right.
2
The human treatment and disregard for other living is satanic. Both here and abroad humans define every living thing as being no more than natural resources, objects for consumption or entertainment. We no longer hunt animal life we harvest it.
As an entity we deliberately keep the impact of humans on other living things out of mind. Therein lies hope; for the need to hide and deny our treatment of them is because deep inside we know it is wrong.
The wildest of living things have built within them all sorts of natural checks that restrain them. When they harm other living things it is to eat. Humans have gained through science and technology powers that are unchecked by natural inhibition.
Greed propels this human impact. It is all too easy to harvest natures bounty and claim it as our due. However, the greatest harm is caused by human population growth, wherein even minimal human requirements necessitate the wholesale slaughter and imprisonment of other living things.
In this regard ironically it is PC which forbids discussing the ongoing human population explosion that is having the greatest impact on other living things, be it through factory farms or vacuuming the ocean floor or the wholesale clearing of forests.
It is PC which turns a blind eye to population and blames climate change as being responsible for the mass extinctions and enslavement and mistreatment of wildlife.
The planet has 7 billion people, that’s at least 6 billion too many. It’s growing.
12
Horrified that Humans will do this But a Great Hug of THANKS To MR Stiles for His efforts his heart and his guts to do what is the right thing to do!
8
Can you provide information of the organizations (such as Lola Ya Bonobo, et al.,) that work to rescue, and prevent the trade of the apes in question so that donations can be made?
4
I would recommend Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary (http://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/wildlife/chimpanzees/sweetwaters-chim... because it can take chimpanzees from anywhere in the world, which most cannot
2
Great background story for another Planet of the Apes reboot. Too bad it's true.
2
This is terrible but how many more apes used in medical research are tortured killed and all messed up? We need to reform the caging, isolating, and torturing of apes in medicine no less than in the wild. I hope to see the same level of concern for these manufactured apes as for the poached ones.
10
I didn't read this story right away because I knew it would be painful. I'm glad I did, because it is such an important topic. I hope it will make a difference, however small, for our poor fellow primates. More and more I see humans as a catastrophic virus that is destroying its host, our beautiful planet.
12
There are no limits to human depravity towards animals. None whatsoever.
19
If 32 or so US states have no age limits on kids use of guns in hunting (Wisconsin is trying to become the next one), may we should consider arming the apes so they can defend themselves.
12
We already have a country full of armed knuckle-draggers.
3
Lots of rare apes traipsing around the wooded vales of Wisconsin?
Help them out Mr. Sasquatch. Please and thank you.
2
$ 250,000 for a baby Gorilla.
Sadly if we make it harder to kill/kidnap apes
the prices will only go up and up and up
until the Apes are extinct.
2
Instead of troops serving in Niger, doing questionable political work,we should be working in the Congo wherever these creatures live, with silencers on their rifles.
Upon spotting anyone not in uniform, with a weapon, kill and bury.
http://thegovernmentinexile.live
10
Homo sapiens sapiens might very well go extinct through it's own institutionalized and individual misbehavior but not before taking hundreds of other species with it. I applaud those activists who defend the planet and its inhabitants against those who have chosen willful destruction and cruelty.
11
This horrific story is yet another reminder that Homo sapiens are a species that is more evil and destructive to its planet, and to the creatures and plants that share it, just trying to survive, than any other form of life, past or present. I’m so sad for these “apes” abused by idiotic, selfish humans, and I can only hope they will ultimately get the justice they deserve. At the rate we’re going, it is truly hard to imagine our species surviving long enough to physically explore and colonize another world, and that will be for the ultimate good of Earth and anything beyond.
11
How very ironic that those poor poachers end up in a stifling prison which changes the color of your skin, while at the same time stuffing bonobo and chimp babies into cages! People are just cruel and heartless towards relatives of their own species, which seems to go against our „altuistic genes“ which are meant to make us care for our own kind.
I stayed in a hotel in Kinshasa once which held a starving baby monkey in a cage so small he could only stand or lean and not turn around. I would feed him bananas and nuts I smuggled from the breakfast bar and when I asked the staff if they fed it regularly they laughed at me. I asked, would you put your own baby in a cage? Laugh. I offered to buy it, they refused, and then I threatened them that it was an endangered species and they could be persecuted. Laugh. Crazy white person they said. And what was the point of even keeping it there? All the guests either completely ignored it because they were so used to it, or pained to look in its eyes like a homeless person you ignore on the street. When will we stop trying to turn all animals into pets? What‘s wrong wiht dogs? You can train them to do anything and they‘ll love you for it. There are tons on the streets and you don‘t need to smuggle them, they‘ll follow you home if all you do is feed them.
8
When I saw "smuggled, beaten, and drugged" and "Bangkok" in close proximity I thought it was about human slavery. The apes are probably treated better, though, because they're harder to come by in Bangkok than human slaves. I lived in Bangkok for 10 years and I know whereof I speak; was an eyewitness to this atrocity.
4
This is the saddest story. I really had to skim through this article. I'm someone who rescues turtles off the road so trying to comprehend the horrific treatment of these sentient beings is more than I can handle. In the late '80's I lived in Tokyo and would frequent the zoo. There was a huge, huge male ape who spent his days blankly staring through the iron bars of his cement enclusure I tried to talk to him. It was just so sad. At one point I thought that if all the suoer wealthy Hollywood Icons could each contribute a 100k or so maybe, just maybe, something could hapoen to help these poor beings. Evidently, those adored celebs are more likely to try to own one than to care about their plight on this planet.
4
Thank you NYT for this most informative and difficult to read article. We the humans, are the worst of species on earth.
10
Glad to see how many people are whipped up here. Unfortunately this problem is a speck of ink on the list of hideous things human beings do to every living creature ,and all forms of non sentient life. Mostly men. There I said it. And lots of men. All over the globe they come up with different axes to grind but the bottom line is rape (even bonobos apparently), pillage, slaughter. Rinse and repeat.
8
There are many organizations working on this horrific problem that can use your financial assistance. WildAid and World Wildlife Fund are two. Please consider supporting them in response to this important journalism. Thank you.
6
We are the apes on this planet. Stunning photography.
Perhaps global warming, will manage to wipe human beings off planet Earth. We the scourge, the infestation, the common denominator for all misery on this planet. Yes, we will take a multitude of species with us....but then, the planet will certainly go on spinning around the sun, free of our nastiness. Hallelujah to that!
7
Yo are dealing with ignorant people who don't se other ways to make a means.
If I were there I shoot every poacher I could find!
2
Some people expressed a desire to help stop this abominable trade. You can donate at the PayPal button on https://freetheapes.org. My project has spent all its funds now, I can't continue work until next year, If I find funding (I've applied).
3
It is too late for education......that might take 50 years. It is too late for economic development.....that is not going to happen with the current kleptocracies...... Voluntary population control.....never going to happen in our lifetimes....too much religion....too much patriarchy in the third world....unless China takes over Africa. Nuclear war? A hot war between India, Pakistan, the US, China, NK, Israel and Russia might end up being a blessing for the planet. Africans could once again repopulate the planet and it would relieve pressure on these brothers and sisters of ours.....until the next population explosion.
How about focusing on a few areas that we are more are able to influence and at least roadblock some of this behavior. Time for companies like Facebook who own the platforms used to aid and abet this activity, to get a lot more serious about prevention. They need to do a lot more than just say "we need to do better".
3
This article reveals a broad geopolitical misery and loss of every type of biologic right shared by humans and primates. It is difficult to imagine that sufficient controls can be introduced to even slow the damage to the world's land and ocean species.
1
Great reporting, great article, and great work by those trying to save the apes. But just like with all other animals, including domestic dogs and cats and horses, so many people just do not care about the suffering of animals. Look at the feral horses out west that the BLM wants to start slaughtering again instead of gelding.
1
This is what we should be using our military for. Going after the lowlifes that sell and buy these animals. Plus the Elephant tusks and Rhino horns. With all the tools and money at their disposal and working with local law enforcement, the military could make some real headway into stopping this horrible trade. It would be a lot better than most of the wasted excursions they are involved with now.
4
I share the same sense of grief, outrage, depression and despair as other commentators when I read articles like these. It also makes me think of the meaning of life in our Cosmos. We use other species to survive - eat living things, kill trees to build homes, steal cow milk which was meant for the calf, wear cotton to clothe, keep dogs for entertainment, make medicines tested on animals etc. I know life on Earth is the business of life and death but to what point should we go? Clearly so many of us is wrecking on other species.
7
I lightly skimmed this important article. The poverty driving people to these horrific acts and the animals being the brunt of all our human issues.
I scrolled to the end hoping to find something helpful, a suggestion perhaps, that I COULD DO to help and nothing.
Thank you NYT for putting this front and center. An amazing piece which is inspiring some great comments by readers. People should visit the Freeland website linked in the article to read more and possibly donate.
1
Yes, agreed, a worthy organisation doing vital work at the heart of where much of this poaching and illicit trade takes place.
Not only one Mr Stiles, but a lot more dedicated men and women are needed both in Asia and Africa to work in the prevention of trafficking of these primates. Unfortunately, zoos, theme parks, circuses and other places of entertainment buy these animals illegally. In the United States and Canada as well as in other countries, there are thousands of private circuses, zoos and amusement parks that purchase these animals from wildlife smugglers illegally and these include universities too where illegal experiments in the name of medical research take place. People must not visit zoos, circuses, amusement parks etc where these animals are exhibited and governments must be more vigilant. These activities are more profitable than even drugs. What will happen to our planet when all species of wildlife are wiped by the greed and cruelty of humans?
I worked for several years in DRC, and often travelled into remote régions for my work. People often offered to sell me baby apes. I still sometimes regret not buying them to rescue them. I was interested in the work of those who I met who were working there on these issues. However, I think that this article misses a lot of the nuance though. Many people in DRC eat bush meat and monkey meat, which is traditionally part of the diet. My staff did this and I felt it was not my place to judge. Many of the baby apes had their parents killed, so in some ways they were lucky to still be alive. I also found many people kept the apes as pets and they were not necessarily treated worse than people or children. In many of the remote locations and communities where I worked people were also extremely poor and often malnurished, so eating any protein and making use of any resource takes on a different demension in these cases. I am not saying I agree with any of these practices but only that the article over simplifies them. I also saw wildlife NGOs with very questionable practices, who antagonised locals, who were explicitly racist, who shot at people for any excuse and used armed guards. Not all wildlife NGOs are reputable and some clearly but animal welfare above human welfare. While the worst cases I saw where in DRC, there are similar issues if many other African countries where I worked.
8
I agree with much of what you say. The solution to this problem is not easy and many NGOs benefit from a wildlife "crisis". The solution ultimately is creating sustainable livelihoods involving managed natural resource use. This does not, however, include trade of live wild animals
1
This is demand side problem. Cut down the demand to zero and the trafficking will automatically stop. Plus, we have to think about providing for every human being if we want to protect the habitat of these magnificent fellow animals. Planet earth will be a sorry place live if we are the only animals left.
10
It's time that the species human disappears as soon as possible.
26
Yes, Judith,you're right.
We are becoming a cancer on the earth ,and those of us that point it out are sneered at as tree huggers and bleeding hearts.
Kindness and compassion are anathema to those who will only be content when the globe is covered in concrete or destroyed in Trump's nuclear war.
1
Go ahead, you can be the first to leave then.
This article really puts everything in perspective for me. I️ think that we all need to be reminded and become aware of other things (as terrible as they may be coming to light) happening in this world. There is just too much that has been ignored and too much that has not been done.
19
"Daily acts of destruction and brutality are committed because we fail to see the dignity of the Other." ~Terry Tempest Williams (Finding Beauty in a Broken World)
30
I will admit that I did not--could not bear--to read this article, but thank you to the NYT and Jeffrey Gettleman for reporting on this issue. It breaks my heart that humans mistreat these intelligent animals; it is wrong and unjust. If there is some way readers can assist in stopping the illegal trading and cruelty, I hope someone will repeat it in the comments so I can find it. Thank you.
39
In this country, at least these days, I wonder if moving away from use of the word "ape" would help? Simians include monkeys, and primates include humans. Apes are primate beings. They are not human, but they are beings just the same. As such, they are deserving of both recognition and some basic rights, even if it requires more responsibility from the rest of us.
20
As long as there are poor hungry people, and a market of wealthy ignorant people you will have this. Some unscrupulous person will always show upe to profit. We still haven't wiped out the drug trade or slavery for that reason. I'm not saying we shouldn't try. It's just hard fighting a force of nature.
9
It’s easy to blame natural forces, but it’s not the only story. Human greed plays a huge part, as does superstitious thinking that animal products like tigers’ teeth and rhinoceros’ horn confer any power or nutrition. Those are human constructs, not nature’s.
3
I don't think you can legitimately lump together drugs, human & animal trafficking. The only commonalities are that they are illegal and that the word "trafficking" is used to describe them. In human & animal trafficking there would be misery inherently involved even if the activities were not prohibited by law. With the drug trade, it is the prohibition of a popular commodity (that is not a living, conscious being) that introduces violence due to the large amounts of money to be made. Unfortunately, drug prohibition itself is also hugely profitable as it is a jobs program for many millions of people including almost all law enforcement personnel, lawyers (both prosecution & defense) much of the court system, the bail systems, prison guards and anyone else working in the prison services industries. For police the profit is not only in all the overtime paid to drug task forces and the like but also the cash cow of civil asset forfeiture which is essentially legalized highway robbery. Americans now lose more to seizure by police each year than they lose to robbery committed by non-law enforcement. Many of the deaths from opioids would be eliminated if they were legalized because people could purchase clearly labelled, standardized doses and fentanyl would not be illicitly added. As with alcohol, there would still be some problems for some individual users but the suffering brought on by prohibition would end. Don’t confuse things based upon their legal status.
Sometimes, humanity's potential for inhumanity is appalling. Truly appalling.
31
So, so true. And then these people have the nerve to call themselves human beings. This story made me both cry and become unspeakably angry.
1
The photography by Brian Denton in this article is a pfreakin-phenomenon.
The bushmeat market photo may very well be the best photograph I've ever looked at. It's no keep-your-finger-on-fast-shutter-and-one-of-ems-bound-to-be-good photograph. That image is sculpted. Kudos Mr. Denton.
12
Agreed. I couldn't stop looking at it. My eyes never stopped moving. Gorgeous.
Prosecute the buyers as harshly as the law allows. The low level poachers are poor, uneducated and desperate- what wouldn't you do to feed your family? The buyers are the most repulsive among us. Lastly, if there is an organization that is working to bring the modern advances in birth control to poor, starving nations in Africa, please share, I'd like to sign up.
26
thank you for this article. heartbreaking but important to spread the word. what are the best non-profits to support to help combat illeagal wildlife trade?
9
It is unfortunate that most species of highly intelligent nonhuman primates are native to some of the world's most economically and politically insecure regions. I wonder if there would be some way that significant and sustainable populations of them could be relocated to suitable ecosystems in more developed, more civilized, more stable places in the world, where they could live in peace.
8
This is some seriously world-class journalism. Thank you for bringing these horrors to the public's attention. Who knows, perhaps a young person or two just found their life's purpose.
29
Many years ago William S. Burroughs wrote that humans are a virus infecting Earth. Each passing year seems to prove how pathetically true his opinion is.
26
Humans poison the land, air, and water.
Humans kill other animals for sport.
Humans cage other animals, as well as some of their own.
Did God give us permission for this? I'm sure there is scripture to support dominion over all living things.
I'm waiting to see an advanced alien civilization arrive to make cheeseburgers out of us. Because they can.
We'll be subdued by a superior race, unless they have some alternate moral code. Queue up a twilight zone episode.
14
It’s called “To Serve Man.”
The worst thing to happen to this planet was the evolution of homo sapiens. Pleas stay on this story. Our wild animals need help as does the planet.
20
Organized crime requires organized corruption to function.
10
Maybe our species deserves to be an evolutionary dead end. I was sickened to the depths of my soul by this article.
34
It really is amazing that these issues exist. If governments really wanted to tackle this situation they could and very quickly. It is beyond me to understand how we can still have human trafficking as well as exotic animals and plants to the tune of billions of dollars. We are told that this is organized crime. I wonder who is part of these circles? Of course it couldn't be our current crop of world leaders and representatives and corporate kings and queens. They care too much about the welfare of our world to be held responsible. Indignation is going to be the only tool to set the course right. People have to be offended by all of this and when these deplorable people are outed we have to reject everything they stand for. Stop buying their products. Stop going to their movies. Stop voting for them or their party. If none of us have any character well than we deserve the pit of filth we are making for ourselves.
10
To be cynical, the easiest way to protect apes is to make them worth more alive than dead or kidnapped. And the best way to do that without excessively hurting the environment is with rich tourists. Whether their money goes to deserving locals or corrupt officials, they will have a strong incentive to keep the forests teeming with apes.
Rwanda is already doing that with its gorilla population. Other countries should follow this strategy.
23
I share the distress expressed by many of the other commenters, extending of course to the other species that are targeted by smugglers and poachers. There are a number of organizations fighting these practices that I donate to that readers may want to consider: Wildlife Conservation Network, Wildlife SOS (South Asia) and African Wildlife Foundation. I'm sure there are many others. It's clearly a huge problem but I will keep contributing to these organizations in the hope of saving at least a fraction of these beautiful, defenseless creatures. rwhich, to the best I can determine he readers of this article and the many others I have come upon relating to the poaching of f
17
Americans have quite a history of animal abuse .
The Sears catalog of 1956 sold baby monkeys , birds and baby alligators, shipped neatly in boxes to your front door.
The practice is stomach churning.
18
As with many other parts of our world (minerals, fossil fuels, forests, non-human species), humans are far and away the most destructive of all the species... we will go to any length in an effort to monetize anything and everything, leave a wake of destruction in our path.
29
I am completely disgusted and dismayed every time I read or see something about poaching and smuggling. Organizations fighting this horrific practice should invest in fleets of drones. And, once caught, these smugglers and their customers (I am not going to listen to the excuse that this practice is caused by poverty. No demand, no smuggling/poaching is a more accurate depiction of this issue) should face execution. The world must wake up and realize that this is a war... and both our environment and wildlife are being raped, pillaged and murdered. It is time for all of us to fight back.
15
NO EXECUTION EVER FOR ANYONE...but surely punishment. This not a war, but a travesty for all.
3
Homo sapiens are the scourge of planet Earth and the modern world.
Given the intelligence for which we pride ourselves it is very often used for greed, destruction, violence, brutalization, murder, war, deception, and other unconscionable behavior.
Why does humankind think it has license to treat Earth’s other creatures and life-forms so maliciously and meanly?
We live on a jewel of a planet and yet treat it and its other creatures like trash or something for our amusement.
Humanity spends trillions on extra-planetary and space exploration, seeking signs of life beyond Earth, but continues to drive what is called the ‘Sixth Extinction’ on Earth.
How sad the thought should humanity discover some primitive extra-terrestrial life-form, only after thousands upon thousands of Earth’s wonderful species (many of them sentient) have been driven to extinction by the same species- us!
It will be to the collective loss of Earth and the universe until humanity learns to respect, cherish, and protect the other species inhabiting Earth.
24
I'd just like to point out that Mr. Stiles advocates for a "legal" ivory trade, what many people working on the ground to protect and save elephants would consider an untenable position.
I'd be interested to know why Mr. Gettleman didn't consult a wider range of sources, including Ofir Drori who not only rescues trafficked apes but also works to root out the governmental corruption that allows such trade to continue.
I'm sorry but this article falls short of what I would consider hard-hitting investigative journalism. If you read Mr. Gettleman's accompanying account of his research for the story, all I could think was, who are these people (Gettleman & Stiles)?? The Keystone Kops playing Lone Ranger? Maybe you should leave such dangerous capers to the big boys.
I can’t read these sorts of articles either. But, I do know, from the way animals are treated throughout the world, that homo sapiens are the most aggressive, blood-thirsty, war-mongering, slaughtering, butchering, abusing, terrifying, torturing, sick, repugnant, hubristic, gluttonous, murderous, killing creatures on earth and that there’s more courage and virtue, more soul and spirit, in one gorilla, monkey or ape than in a planet of “humans.”
25
Don’t look far. Extreme animal cruelty is tolerated in the U.S. For example, it appears that Pennsylvania still hasn’t banned live pigeon shoots. Look this up and you will see immense suffering of pigeons and cruel, brain-dead people actually enjoying their suffering... they find it entertaining. All supported by the NRA.
20
Put some of these odious traffickers out naked in the jungle without food or water and let's see if the attacks against the apes diminish.
11
Africa; traffics anything that sells; including humans. I have nothing but disgust for these sellers and buyers. I am sending $ to the organizations mentioned in the article.
21
7.6 billion humans and growing
4,500 wild tigers and slipping
when do we get woke?
27
When we stop worshipping money.
The main reason driving these people to hunt, eat and sell apes is extreme poverty in Africa. When you stomach is empty you eat anything. Extreme poverty makes no exceptions.
If you are looking for blame, look for those rich people in the West and Asia who buy these animals.
14
How do you feel about drug dealers who
peddle to "rich" kids in the schoolyard?
4
I So agree
Our Greed results in extreme life n death decisions
for all living beings
I wish humans could accept the need to balance all resources
Idyllic
4
totally agree. so now what??
1
I have a simple reporting question: how was the money exchanged for the baby orangutans and why didn’t that help catch Tom? I’m disappointed that the story glosses over this obvious detail. Did Tom put the otans in the taxi without receiving payment? I don’t understand.
8
Actually, Rachel, it's not as if they use money orders or certified bank checks.
Okay Kenneth, how do you think the money is exchanged? I’m genuinely curious. No certified checks to be sure but what do you think is the obvious currency in a transaction like this because I sure don’t know and that’s why I asked the question in the first place.
1
The apprehension and enslavement as amusement toys of these creatures is so beneath what I consider "mankind" as to be alien. These poachers should be warned and afterward imprisoned for such horrible morals. These apes are more human than their captors.
2
Well, it does seem as if that's what the authorities are trying to do.
If you'd like to contribute, I'm sure they would appreciate the help.
2
A pox on everyone who pays to see animals traumatized, tortured and killed for their own amusement. From trophy hunting, to killing elephants to make ivory baubles, to keeping baby chimps as pets, there is no end to the horrors human beings inflict on our fellow creatures. Nothing will end well for any animals, except perhaps cockroaches, by the time we are through with raping the planet.
21
The most vicious species on this planet is the human species.
21
It isn't the trappers. It isn't the trafficers. It isn't the dealers.
It's the customer. The people- and their surrounding cultures, willing to pay so much to put a baby orang in diapers.
Sting them - and put them in jail for a long time- and it might slow. The money - is what drives this genocide. And the money comes from - the customers.
12
agreed. but like every trade, this is a two way street.
3
Where can we donate?
5
Donating is important, but standing up for these beings and encouraging others to take action is vital! Speak out kindly but firmly when you see people posing with wild animals on Facebook and social media. Write the companies you buy from and tell them you'll boycott until they purchase responsibly sourced palm oil. Let people know these things are shameful, and soon the demand will disappear.
One line in this article reads "poaching an ape is a serious crime in Congo"
yet another reads "Congo’s president, Joseph Kabila, who lives in a riverside mansion in Kinshasa, the capital, has a large chimp locked up in a cage."
Can the president of the Congo please explain? Did a mother ape wander by and offer you her baby? Could you please take a trip down to Boende, Congo and explain to those handcuffed poachers why you keep an ape in one cage for entertainment and the men who supply them in another for punishment?
22
why not give the apes guns and train them to
hunt their killers.if they are as smart as some
scientists suspect,they would do the world a
favor and insure their own survival.
11
Scientists don't SUSPECT they are smart!
They KNOW it!
Jesus! How can they live? Where are their phones?
Yet another reason to dislike the filthy rich.
8
The greatest lie of humankind is that we are separate from this world. This despite the fact we need water and food (from this earth) to survive or that we share DNA with not just bonobos but other mammals, rodents, insects, plants, fungi and even bacteria. We are them and they are us.
Western creation myths perpetuate the misconception that natural resources exist solely to supporting humanity's insatiable consumption and unrestrained reproduction. Instead of creating a more harmonious world, our mental superiority has led to the manipulation and elimination of entire species and their habitat. Yet collectively we shrug our shoulders and go about our daily routines.
We, as humans, have now exceeded the natural carrying capacity of this earth and are living on borrowed time and a recalibration and reconciliation is all but guaranteed. Most likely via disease, war, widespread unemployment (via automation) and revolution, natural disaster, asteroid or some combination thereof.
For proof look no further than the futurist billionaire club. Some, such as Bill Gates, see technology as a solution evidenced by his comments to the World Economic Forum in February 2017. Others view tech as a means of escape such as artificial intelligence (Paul Allen, Jeff Bezos), autonomous databases (Larry Ellison), digital tertiary layer (Elon Musk), or even space capsules and interplanetary colonies (Robert Bigelow).
4
"...our mental superiority..." I suggest you read some books by Stephen Buhner to reevaluate that assumption. We are taught that we are mentally superior to other species, but that is questionable, as much of human behavior continuously proves in endless ways. Buhner will remedy that assumption that human are mentally superior. Of course it all depends on how you measure intelligence, and if you bias it to favor your version of intelligence, you're likely to do well.
3
Thank you, Jacob, for being able to express yourself calmly yet powerfully , while yet full of compassion.
I can’t read these stories. Too heartbreaking, and the one thing that would commit me to a mental institution if I did read them.
So I am asking those who did read the story: is there any mention of a place to donate money to help stop this utter, abject cruelty?
19
UN GRASP is a good place to start donations and public awareness; act locally think globally.
2
Why is the topic of (human) population control is such a taboo? The more humans there are, the more such crimes are perpetrated. The more habitats lost.
29
The creatures of our world (including us) will only be safe when humans are educated to live sustainably and with respect; understanding what it means to live, to love, and to be part of something larger than yourself.
When no one is willing to pay to watch a drugged ape bang on a drum, that will be a good day.
I have to admit, I simply can't bear to read to the end of the article. I'm sure it is excellently written, but the eyes of that captive chimpanzee so burned themselves into my mind that I have to go outside and sit for a minute.
13
Machine learning has advanced to the point that photos of apes can be identified automatically. Companies like Google should assist in the search for animal smugglers advertising through social media.
9
The monstrous "humans" who buy these poor animals for whatever wretched purposes they may have should be outed and shamed, just as abusers and harassers and rapists are currently being publicly shamed. It's the only way to stem demand. I know this seems a gargantuan undertaking, but so did the prospect of taking down Hollywood's titans seem at one point.
Social media MUST get involved. Regular citizens must find these people and out them online, post photos. Just as is the case in the drug trade, you will never stop the traffickers if you do nothing to stop the demand.
Animal rights groups should start awareness campaigns and enlist the public's help online. Ask anyone with any knowledge of people owning these animals to make that knowledge public.
We only feel helpless because we are refusing to use our own power.
My heart breaks for the countless helpless animals who have suffered at the hands of our sick, demented species. I am so sorry.
10
This is as close to trafficking in humans - children - for the purpose of amusement, slavery (prostitution?!), food and trinkets (ashtrays out of chimp hands). This is a difficult story for me to read.
Trafficking and inhuman actions against others by race or species is truly depraved.
8
What happens to these poor animals is disgusting. One day mankind will wake up - when it's too late.
9
This is why I stopped going to zoos a long time ago. And circuses.
14
"Discovering two (scared) baby orangutans in the back seat, clutching each other."
With no one but each other to comfort them, this is evident that these are sentient beings. I'd also be interested in studies involving trauma and psychological issues related to their capture and abuse.
11
I would be willing to wager, that improving the economic circumstances of these wildlife poachers and traffickers and their families, would substantially reduce the incentive to perpetrate such repulsive behavior. The handcuffed ape hunters photographed in this article, as despicable as they might seem, are at the bottom of the economic totem pole.
The brutal reality of supply side capitalism.
8
Such beautiful creatures. The same cannot be said for many of our species.
12
Thank you NYT for publishing this story. It is tragic all around. Over population, inequal distribution of resources, and destruction of natural habitats among many other ills. More "consumers" all around. Something significant must change in regard to the overall path we are collectively on.
14
Fantastic journalism about an important topic.
1) A modern FAIRNESS DOCTRINE is needed, not only for traditional mainstream media but also for internet communicators like Instagram and WhatsApp. The original which was ended by Reagan in 1986 eschewed lying and false equivalency and held up standards of truth, facts and respect for the judicial system. This should apply to Instagram and WhatsApp who are accessories in the commission of crimes described in this article.
2) Buyers should be treated as harshly as Sellers. Dry up the market and Sellers will go away.
3) Increase animal education across the world in order to decrease crimes against them. Just recently NYT published research that captive fish can suffer from depression. Humans need to understand their place in the world and respect other life.
58
#2 is very important! Buyers should be treated AT LEAST as harshly as sellers. Some of the sellers likely engage in these activities for survival. The same cannot be said for anyone paying $7.5 k for an infant primate.
1
I just want to thank the NY Times for this latest of several outstanding pieces covering the fate of animals worldwide. This issue is vitally important and perhaps such heartbreaking stories will encourage many others to get involved in efforts to protect and save these intelligent and incredible living things and work to maintain this planet. We are all very busy with our lives and careers but it is the duty of every one of us now to pitch in. There are innumerable ways to get involved and make a difference, rather than simply falling into a state of despair. Pick an issue you care about and pitch in as much as you can. Obviously, our wretched government doesn't care. Do you?
81
i could not agree more
1
They have to kill intelligent kin in the struggle for survival in a very poor, destitute place, and yet the population of central Africa and much (all?) of sub-Saharan is exploding. Apparently few people are making the connect between another mouth to feed and abject poverty.
26
The slavery trade also put food on the tables of many an African. It does not make it OK. The world needs to get priorities straight and help these people become self sustainable without destroying their nations habitat.
2
That's what many in South Asia say about the drug trade, too.
1
Maybe move from hunter gatherer to agriculture?
Who are these pathetic, stupid people who buy and exploit these animals? Shouldn't they be arrested and charged also?
54
As tragic as the situation is, I think it's more about education than the evil nature of people. Most of us grew up watching apes do silly things on TV or in circuses and probably thinking it was funny. We never thought that it was akin to stealing a child, beating it and forcing it to do tricks for the rest of it's life. People need to be educated about the rich emotional life that these creatures have. Public shaming never hurts either, as long as it's directed at the people who are causing this; not the poor starving simple folk, but the rich bored morons and people who run parks like the one mentioned in the article. If you look at reviews for the safari park, many people recommend the orangutan boxing show. Now they need some education.
31
Unchecked human behavior reverts to slavery, barbaric acts, murder, and cruelty. He marches toward a dark future of his own devise. What ye sow, so shall ye reap.
22
I look at the handcuffed perpetrators –
And think, only Homo sapien is capable of being cruel to its fellow creatures.
16
Yeah, I remember studying biology/ecology in college and wondering where humans fit into things. We were and are, to my understanding the only living thing that doesn’t live in harmony with nature and have zero purpose on this earth, except to cause harm.
7
Anyone who can look into the eyes of these beautiful beings and intentionally cause them pain and suffering is as much a sociopath as anyone who would do that humans.
62
It is exactly the same thing as racism to rightfully be appalled over the human species treatment of all other living beings of this Earth. But the same people who are outraged over the treatment of Apes willfully send hundreds of millions of other animals to a hell of torture and slaughter for their enjoyment for food, clothing, and lots of other uses. It's the absolute worst hypocrisy imaginable. Have you ever seen a mother cow's sorrow when her newborn calf is taken away from her and put in a crate for veal?
Animals desire a life and an environment to live that life. We take that from them without a blink and justify it with some corrupt idea that God or whatever said it is our right.
I am a hypocrite too though. My friends who use and eat animals are really not my friends. In fact I despise them for their monstrous, selfish and cruel beliefs. I wonder: is the author a vegan or just another speciesist? Their arguments for dominion are clever. Their spirits are dark. It is clear to me that the Human Race is committing suicide because of its spiritual depravity regarding the beautiful world in which we live and destroy for our pleasure.
19
I certainly appreciate your sentiments, but . . . .
If your friends are not your friends, who's left?
3
I am glad to see that people are becoming more aware of the plight of animals around the world subjected to torture and cruelty and in danger of extinction. I wish that the citizens of the US would take note of what is happening and has been happening to our own wild horses. The BLM has been mismanaging them for many years and now through false claims and for the benefit of Ranchers and other special interests is on the brink of obtaining permission from congress to destroy 50,000 horses that are in government holding and maybe as many as 90,000 if you consider those not gathered yet. Ryan Zinke Trump's Secretary of the Interior is pushing for shooting or slaughter. It's an issue that transcends party and administrations. The decision whether to remove protections from these animals is imminent. Please call your Senators and Congressmen and stop it.
24
Thank you for speaking up for our wild horses. I support a group that rescues horses on their way to slaughterhouses and rehabs and rehomes them, or humanely euthanizes them if they are in desperate shape (after giving them a couple days of kind attention).
9
How can we help?
13
It's a struggle to wrap one's arms around the destruction of which humans are capable. As a recent article in National Geographic pointed out, some large game that's killed is used by indigenous families for food. While it's horrible that we haven't been able to solve the hunger problem to the point that suck killing is unnecessary, it's hard to muster a full metal jacket of moral authority and outrage when hungry people need to eat. But drugging apes and forcibly removing these social creatures from their families for human entertainment in the form of banging on drums and boxing matches? We've all heard the phrase, "card-carrying member of the human race." If this were a reality and not a metaphor, I'd be burning mine today. Great work, Mr. Stiles and NYT.
17
Why not introduce agriculture in Africa? What about learning to raise soybeans instead of creating more mass extinctions of animals?
2
Population control. There are too many of us. We are too hungry, too greedy and too smart - we wipe out everything around us.
5
Why are these people more worthwhile than these animals?
We need to revisit that premise.
Vast extinctions are occurring because of humans.
19
Why do birds eat worms?
Why do wolves eat lambs?
Vast extinctions have occurred because of
those who are not yet extinct.
1
I know a Sect that has done this with my mother and my twin brother. I will reveal the name of the Sect at the Mountain of Safa In the Umrah Peregrination I will do in December 2017.
1
I'm not an overtly religious person but I hope this world is almost over because how much sicker can we get?
4
“One day we will wonder how did we ever come up with the idea to keep them in cages.” One can surely hope. However recall that many in the U.S. still can't wrap their heads around the fact that it just wasn't cool to put humans in cages and ship them around the world and sell them.
Their are no rights without power. What humans do to animals is based on the power they wield. Not some nutty concept about how God put them here for our pleasure or whatever. It is our ability to control them, from pigs to cows to primates. To starve, overfeed, beat, eloctrocute.
11
The best possible thing that could happen to this planet is the scenario portrayed in the current, rebooted “Planet of the Apes” movies: a virus that wipes out 90 percent of human beings. Homosapiens are now the most irresponsible and destructive threat to the entire planet and the sooner we’re gone, the better.
22
none too soon.
1
I'm looking at the men arrested. What global knowledge do they have. They must wonder why an ape is more highly valued than they are. Simple. Supply and demand. As mankind's population continues to explode, the value of human life declines. Animals and trees become more valuable. Imagine what that reality will lead to.
Worldwide free birth control now would help wild creatures more than any other solution that comes to mind.
Lessening our numbers would help us too.
Oh. One more suggestion. Stop allowing oligarchs and dictators to rob their countries into the dismal, overpopulated, starving tragedy these men suffer.
23
Thank you New York Times and Mr Stiles for the story and the ongoing work you do to slow down human's wiping out more species, particularly one that is as smart and sensitive as the Chimpanzee and monkey family. It's horrifying what humans will do for bravado and entertainment.
13
Chimps and bonobos share over 97% of their DNA with humans. We evolved from them. Please give to organizations that are working to save our closest relatives.
12
Actually, we and the chimps / bonobos all evolved from a common ancestor about 8 million years ago. We went our separate ways evolutionarily. Why their brains didn't evolve the complexity that ours did is anybody's guess.
As a species, we are, overall, a nightmare. We are gluttonous, curious, easily bored, hot-tempered, opportunistic, and greedy. Those become truly horrible when abetted by high IQs, nimble hands, and a deficient conscience, If intelligent populations on other planets learn that we are tyring to travel to them, they should be very worried.
2
Education is key. Let’s all stop purchasing products that further lead to the decline of these beautiful creatures... Nutella does not have to use palm oil!
4
Extremely cruel and horrible business. Thanks nytimes for this article.
15
Thank you so much for putting the resources into this story. As we shake our heads now looking back at slavery, eugenics, etc., so will all humans one day look back on this tragic abuse of these sentient apes. The question is whether any apes will have survived to be left in peace by that time.
12
Capitalism is a sick economic system that exploits everyone and everything for profit. Until we cure ourselves the the impetus to conquer, control and exploit this noose will tighten until even the prime capitalists have consumed or destroyed the entire planets resources. And to be quite frank the recent discourse encouraging our species plan to depart this planet needs to fail so we don’t destroy another with what appears to be an infectious insanity.
6
I hadn't planned on crying this morning, but so I did, especially looking at the photos. In the words of George Bernard Shaw, "Man's inhumanity to man is surpassed only by his cruelty to animals." Sadly, truer words were never spoken.
26
The root of most of Earth's problems (e.g. loss of animal habitat) is homo sapiens, not the species but the number. Where is the outcry against the overpopulation that necessitates clearing more and more land to feed our ever-growing numbers? It is silenced by a general unwillingness to forego having children, thereby endangering all other life on the planet.
13
Greed, corrupt officials, and endangering species ... it took great journalism to expose this ape smuggling outrage and has such a sharp focus we can see a path to ending the practices ... a similar story is taking place in plain sight and is being duly reported but the dismantling of the EPA is so incremental and far reaching it is difficult to grasp its magnitude and impact. It is a purloined endangerment of all, with the weakest and poorest first.
3
This story is heartbreaking. What can we do to help, Mr. Stiles?
5
Thank you NYT. This is a wonderful and terrifying article. You always bring to light issues of which many people are ignorant. Or if they do know, they simply don’t care.
Keep publishing articles such as these. Maybe s few interested readers will share the stories so as to lead to change.
2
I am beyond sickened by the great apes treatment depicted in this article. I can say beyond a doubt, we as humans will destroy everything, everything, and then we will have nothing. Unless there is a Malthusianesque prophecy, humanity will continue to drive off the proverbial cliff, taking all the planet's living creatures with them. I hope I'm not here to see the end.
7
Ditto...as selfish as that seems...I don’t want to watch as this planet and her many species are decimated by us for our own purpose and amusement.
Thank you NYT and especially the writers for doing this very difficult story. I spent 25 years working in animal welfare. In 1996 I went into the San Francisco Chinatown live markets with a hidden camera to document the cruelty of the wild turtles who ended up waiting to be soup. I still have dreams about turtles in peril and we were never able to get California Fish and Game commission to ban the importation of live turtles for the soup or pet trade. But this expose, which I admit I can't read in full, is beyond what I can mentally cope with anymore. The suffering and cruelty humans impose on nature, and each other, is really impossible for a sensitive nature lover to understand. I made it through the cruelty cases by utilizing the media, feeling education was key and this story is a perfect example.
10
Thanks to Mitchell Gershten for identifying the umbrella issue here. I would add that there is a small gap between the economically driven ecosystem destruction of multinational corporations and the story we've read.
1
I want to thank Jeffrey Gentleman for going through with this, it can't have been pleasant and for raising awareness.
1
How can anyone look at these beautiful, intelligent, sensitive animals not see how similar they are to us?
This was a devastating read.
Humanity is a cancer on this earth. What the earth needs is chemotherapy.
3
Artificially keeping some things subhuman doesn’t make us more human, if that’s what they think. To the contrary it does the exact opposite. Our seat at the head of the table isn’t destined to last long the way we treat our guests.
1
excellent article. Thank You NYT and Mr Styles.
Just another example of human beings exploiting and abusing other species to make a lousy buck. Absolutely shameful despicable behavior.
1
With any luck at all, vicious, unscrupulous, nasty humanity will meet its own demise without destroying all other life on earth.
I highly recommend the 1969 science-fiction story "The Last Flight of Dr. Ain" by James Tiptree, Jr. It can be found in full online.
3
Thank you so much to the NYTimes for the front page focus. Excellent, heart wrenching article.
There is a saying I share with my children:
"No one came here to do what you are meant to do."
Thank you a million times over for your efforts Mr. Gettleman.
5
One just has to look at the photo to see how frightened this little animal is to let go of human love & contact. your article brought tears to my heart, but I know these horrific deeds can only be solved by people stepping up and donating time or money to help alleviate their pain. Mitchell Gershten writings about the plight and the cause says it better than anything I could ever say. God help us God forgive us.
1
The rush to aid African countries with well-intentioned charity ultimately has several detrimental outcomes -- larger populations increase stress on existing resources, wildlife habitat is reduced, and majestic animals are slaughtered or pushed to extinction.
The population growth rate of African countries cannot be sustained by destroying the very gems which make those countries unique.
The Gates Foundation and other charities would serve African countries, wildlife and the world better by promoting programs which reduce, not increase, the explosive population rate.
6
That there are fewer than 100 comments on this is a sad, stinging indictment of all of us. The latest tweet (140 characters, mind you) from (president) Trump draws hundreds if not thousands of outraged responses, this, barely a peep. Though difficult to read, this really should be mandatory reading to anyone who still believes in the superiority of humans on this planet.
8
Thanks for highlighting this. It would be good to give the reader some specific organizations to support that are working to block this, or other specific action points. Our hearts bleed but we don’t want to just feel bad—we need to know what we can do (website links phone #s etc).
3
Sickening. The depravity of people is just endless, and at the same time, the awesomeness of some people, like this brave person, is incredible. But in the end it is the same multi-headed hydra of poverty and ignorance that is the real root of this problem. A few great people cannot fight it. Our culture of personal gain at the expense of many must change, or we will consume the entire earth.
1
My daughter years ago learned about the plight of the Cross River Gorilla. As is echoed here, many apes are killed to be sold as bush meat. The organization for whom she raised money tried to counteract that by hiring locals to act as Rangers, making it more lucrative to protect the gorillas than to kill them and sell them. By providing an income, those same Rangers could use their money to purchase food. They had both a sense of responsibility, but more importantly, an alternative means to survive.
3
If the measure of our own humanity is how we treat others: people, animals, and our environment, we are sadly at a low point.
1
Why can't every 3rd world country operate within the parameters of a normal government? For 50 years, I've been reading these articles! Generational poverty, war devastation, ecological disasters, famine, massive migration, graft and corruption- all the direct result of poor governance. My goodness you can Google, "How to run a Country," and it will tell you! But I don't care anymore- burn it all, take it all, exploit it all - It doesn't matter. It's all gone in 20 years anyway.
My wife is taking her niece and her children to the LA Zoo today. It’s a beautiful day for walking around outside here today. I’m not going to spoil it for her by showing her this story. The kids can just as well believe the monkeys were always originally from there and that’s where they’re happiest living. Looking back through the bars I hope the monkeys are thinking the same. It’s a small world.
Your wife supports animal cruelty and cruel captivity, as does everyone who pays to go to zoos or captive whale and dolphin shows? Where do you suppose those animals come from? Ultimately, they were kidnapped as babies from Nature, while their mothers were slain so the babies could be kidnapped. Why has your family not learned this, or learned compassion. Do they somehow think their going to the zoo and gawking at captive animals does anything for the animals? Instead it further corrupts the minds of the children who learn that animals exist to be imprisoned and used as entertainment porn for bored humans.
1
Congratulations to Jeffrey Gettleman for this courageous and insightful look into the consequences of humankind's avarice. This is the kind of journalism that sets the Times apart and is a reminder of what great journalists do daily. Thank you for your service!
1
An excellent and heartbreaking article. I have always worried and feared for the survival and safety of the apes, but now I will also worry about the safety of Mr. Stiles, among others who are trying to save them. Was it even necessary to include his photograph for all to see?
There is truly no bottom to the depths of human depravity. I sympathize with the plight of humans who become so desperate that they will do just about anything to survive, but in most cases, desperation can't justify losing your humanity. And desperation does not explain much of it, I'm sure. Some people truly don't care and are OK with just about anything.
One of the benefits of actively engaging all countries in the world through effective diplomacy, targeted and well-overseen aid, and economic collaborations is that the US will be helping to improve the living standards and eventually the educational levels of the peoples of the world. A long game for sure, as we appear to have done only a fair job in the US, but this is how we change the world for the better.
This is just another of the many examples of what can and does go wrong with free-markets that are not subject to regulation and enforcement. In that environment, bad people can do what they want and get away with it. When the targets are endangered species, very intelligent ones at that, how we respond becomes a litmus test of what it means to be the primary caretaker of the Earth and its creatures.
We are currently failing badly. There will be no forgiveness because few creatures will be left, and humans will be too busy dealing with the other consequences of environmental mismanagement and compromised morality.
1
These descriptive accounts of the animal trade are heartbreaking. The demand for these live animals and their by-products highlight a dangerous ignorance that exists in this world. Animals are proudly displayed as assets or exploited for profit. Global citizens must stop supporting these ventures through our tourist and entertainment dollars. I am guilty of enjoying an elephant ride, until I researched the horrid reality of the procurement of these animals. This is an easy step to creating change -- hopefully before it is too late. The demand for these animals must be eradicated in order to stop this trade. Education and cultural enlightenment must continue. Lastly, these poachers at the ground level are often as exploited as the poor animals. The governments of these countries should be paying its citizens to protect their natural resources. Alas, we know that poaching at the highest levels (white rhinos, etc) are often an inside job. Social responsibility falls on all of us and requires governmental and corporate support. We need to clear a path to support conservation and put an end to these harsh realities.
56
Predicting the future is simple. In our ignorance, avarice & propensity to a momentary grasp on reality, we will consume absolutely everything in an endless yearning for gratification. Compassion is potential in all of us, yes, but far more powerful is an innate need to control, to dominate, to amass power and to seek endless satisfaction, ephemeral as it always is. This is a fundamental aberration in human behavior that when limited to a few million on the planet, was of no consequence. Now, as billions of us roam the planet, endowed with the most powerful and destructive of technologies; our proclivities are given free range to mow down everything that lives. We pursue a range of ‘noble’ goals from merely surviving to seeking and/or achieving dominion over ever more massive quantities of the Earth’s output in the form of land, animals, natural resources, cash, cash instruments, companies and their employees around the world. Though far better dressed and likely better schooled, the 1%’ers are in effect, no different than the abettors of the wildlife trade outlined in this article. Though removed perhaps from the more ‘wet’ aspects of that work, their rapaciousness arguably has a far more profound effect on the health of the world’s ecosystems and wildlife than do the poachers. I dare say that there is no repair to our collective consciousness that will be effective enough, rapidly enough to stem our continuing murder of the planet. Unremitting grief is a daily companion.
104
Tragically beautiful observations.
As much as one agrees with Mr Gershten's commentary, may I point out another blind spot in our said 'collective consciousness'. Homo-sapiens (Latin: "wise man") WILL NOT MURDER THE PLANET. The planet will be just fine without us. (see G. Carlin, re: Saving the Planet)
What is pointed out in this article is a reflection of the large mammalian end-game which includes us. The FANG stock investors are further proof that it's game over and you ought to spend as much time with loved ones as possible. "the planet isn't going anywhere. we are"-- g. carlin
(unless you believe in miracles?)
1
My thoughts exactly which you have so eloquently expressed.
This report fills me with deepest despair (even amidst the other bad news on today's NYT "front page.") I am very familiar with this situation. Even more than the rest of the miserable news in today's NYT, this fills me with deep dispair. I am an evolutionary biologist and a human who sees primates as my brothers an sisters; so vulnerable to loss of habitat due to things like oil palm plantations to fuel our junk food needs, lack of the rule of law and civil war, and yes, climate change. People - we need to take action! With regard to the illegal pet trade and trophy hunters (as well as bushmeat), this is a supply and demand situation . Organizations and international agreements exist: http://www.traffic.org/
48
If this article made you feel as sad and helpless as it made me feel, I suggest a viewing of the 2011 movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Escapist revenge fantasy, anyone?
6
I just can't finish reading articles like these. It's too distressing. Homo sapiens has a lot to answer for. Why anybody would want to do this to a species that shares 98% or our genetic material is beyond me. Our species better wake up to the fact that there are far too many of us, all vying for resources that are dwindling far too fast.
15
We are a thoroughly disgusting species.
And once again...just like nearly every single problem humanity face...this too is a problem causes solely because there are simply far too many humans on this planet.
We're crowding in on every single inch of space of this planet, destroying and consuming everything in the way.
We are destroying ourselves through our shear numbers,and absolutely every living and non-living beautiful wonder of this planet is very likely to be destroyed in the process.
I despise our species to no end...
69
There's no limit to human depravity, but most people don't care about other people, let alone animals.
37
at least animal deserve better. a lot of people certainly don't- and they are the ones in charge of this country and much of the word.
2
it makes my stomach turn when i see things like this. These poor helpless animals just trying to survive. Humans can be so cruel and desperate.
Thanks for bringing attention to this horrific situation.
25
Excellent article.
15
They didn't even touch on the domestic Bush Meat trade from Africa entering the US and Europe as contraband in astounding quantities.
18
Importers and purchasers of bush meat should be jailed for a LONG time, or deported immediately and their names and photos should be on all media.
1
I guess I am really naive. I never would have imagined that ape smuggling was a thing.
I have two Labrador Retrievers and lose enough sleep with those. I can't imagine having a (non-GOP) baboon in my home.
7
Man -- the most inhumane and amoral of all animals inhabiting our planet.
91
There are good and brave people who fight against this cruelty every day. Support them financially if you can. A nice Jewish man once said "Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so my Father shall do for you."
56
and saving one life is as if you have saved a whole world.
lovely sir
There are three closely related species of African ape extant today. The matriarchal sex driven peaceful bonobo. The patriarchal violence and sex driven chimpanzee. The patriarchal violence and sex driven human. All that seperate us one from another is about 1 1/2% genetic differences and a few million years of evolutionary fit isolation. This is as abominable as putting them in zoos, circuses or medical research labs without any legal, moral and ethical standards or guidelines.
While we search for signs of intelligent life in the universe we should do likewise here on Earth. Perhaps the social insects particularly the ants and termites are the only intelligent life forms on Earth.
56
Perhaps, but if those ants and termites were as smart as you proclaim, they would figure how to stop me from stomping on them, or smothering them with a chemical weapon of mass destruction. After reading some of these comments from NY Times readers, I have to conclude that some very strange people read the NY Times.
I couldn't bear to read it...
40
I was going to write the same thing. I am a naturalist, vegan, and animal lover. I cannot read this.
But I applaud the Times for once again sending brave journalists into the heart of darkness that results from the human ego. For it is ego that drives us to do whatever we can - and sometimes more - to satisfy our desires, not just strive to survive.
The only hope - one I cling to - is that greater education (through such articles, books, discourse) will eventually turn the oil tanker of cultural norms around. It happened with child labor in many countries (sadly, it still exists in many others), and it could very well be happening right now with attitudes towards women. As the Scots say, "Many a mickle makes a muckle." Every little bit (of change) adds up!
1
I'm with you. The headline and initial photos were difficult enough. Even reading some of the comments brought tears to my eyes.
All I can write is a sincere heartfelt thank you to Jeffrey Gettleman and the NYT for bringing these kinds of issues to the attention of the readers. These kinds of stories will haunt me and depress me for along time. I'm sorry that I cannot read this article. Those of you who have read it are a far stronger and braver person than I will ever be. I'll write a hefty check in a heartbeat in support of any needy and worthwhile cause. I just can't read about it in vivid and descriptive detail.
2
This is a horrible trade and thank you, NYT for the story. I wonder, though, how many people are outraged by this and then turn around and eat meat, use down, wear leather or fur and don't see the horrific way these items are obtained. Humans torture animals at every turn and I wish we would see them all equal - not that one species is less likely to feel pain.
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Or they continue to go to zoos thinking their zoo is different or more humane or necessary for species conservation.
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so eating meat is now a bad thing old sport. BTW if you want to see real cruelty. look at how animals treat other animals in the wild. When a bigger more powerful animal is hungry, a smaller less powerful one dies.
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It seems very obvious to me that zoos ARE necessary for conservation. When they are left alive in Africa, they are poached to extinction. That is what is happening now.
These are important feature articles that I never send to my friends and colleagues in the Humanitarian Community for the Welfare of Children on a Global basis.
Some of these young men, poachers, walk miles a day in search of labor, only to be turned away, the manager is not even able to offer them some food for work. Can you imagine?
Perhaps some of us have seen the documentary 'Virunga' the largest sanctuary park in the Congo, a refuge for endangered gorillas where public servants have placed their life on the line, some killed over the years, leaving behind their family with few resources.
Child Abuse continues, Women are often in peril and injured, Human-Trafficking is rampant. Go after the Dealers, the destroyers of Nature's Wildlife and find ways of creating work for the forgotten ones, the poorest among nations.
The Brutality of Nations rears its hideous head, and if it is not for the Love of Oil, soon it will be in search of Water. Without Water, humans and animals will perish.
A renewed appeal to the richest nations on our planet to preserve the sanctimony of Life in the name of all creatures great and small. It is happening with one step forward, and two backwards.
Mr. Stiles and others will keep reminding us of the growing need to spread the word to those of us who care about our planet's welfare, and invite us to take up the banner and follow him and others in their footsteps.
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Plenty of blame to go around..starting with the corrupt governments in places like Thailand... and wealth inequality worldwide.
IMO the USA must support lots of birth control -- I have no idea why MEN think it's OK to add to populations everywhere. Feed the ones who are here. but do not encourage more.. And do not portray the USA as the promised land. One young man got very angry when the promise did not materialize-- and killed a bunch of tourists visiting NYC, recently. Angry, suicidal people will commit mass murder. getting even with society as a whole.
2
Miss Ley,
I have been reading your comments for some time now and I must admit, this comment is truly wonderful and heartfelt. It is my favorite post of yours to date. Thank you for capturing so much of what I feel. Bravo on your post.
3
Dear Marge Keller,
Thank you for your encouraging comment, and it has been my good fortune to work in both the Public and Private Sector; the two are often linked together in unexpected ways.
A water engineer and I are having an exchange on the poor health of her young 'soul dog', while recently she gave a presentation on the eradication of polio in Korea.
A younger friend in the corporate world used to volunteer at The Bronx zoo on weekends, where she helped to care for the primates. Today, she is on her way to becoming a Public Health expert.
All together now, we can make a difference if we care.
1
While it is easy to conclude that humans are a horrible species, the primary forces at work here are on one hand very poor people are merely trying to survive (by either killing animals for their meat or selling live animals to earn a living) and on the other very greedy unethical people are creating a market for the apes. The "market", everywhere, requires regulation and oversight. Of course, it is an uphill battle at best. Seeing the poor conditions that so many people live in, one must ask, what would they do to survive.
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Agreed. Desperate people will do most anything to survive. The heart of darkness lies within the buyers, the ones who create the market--and put on the lipstick. They should be punished and shunned. What is wrong with people?! Sad to say that I think that on a daily basis these days, for a number of reasons.
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Poor people are always found to be the ones to blame, especially by rich people. Maybe if we were all poor there would be no one left to blame and all that’s wrong would disappear. It’s a small price to pay for that elusive quest.
To Peter Bailey: I am no longer buying the knee-jerk line of thought that says we should pity poor people who do brutal things to animals but excoriate the rich who do brutal things to animals. Both are equally grotesque.
The animals, always the animals, whose desire to live, and whose inner lives are at least as acute and complex as our own, are the only victims.
3
Collapse is inevitable now, and I suspect it will start sooner rather than later. I've come to the conclusion that there's no stopping it - the human landscape is so pervasive, and there is no "we."
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Thanks for this wonderful story and for uncovering the real heroes of our times: those scientists that as Mr. Stiles work tirelessly and quietly to protect the endangered richness of our planet. Thanks also to organizations such as the African Wildlife Foundation that keep believing that we can do something to for a better world.
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This story broke my heart.
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Me too, Father.
There is a special place in hell reserved for people that abuse animals like this. I hope these monsters all get arrested and spend the rest of their lives in prison.
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I think it is not good to leave consequences for the afterlife. It doesn't matter what may or may not happen after death. We need to deal with the greedheads in the here and now.
1
I agree. Put them UNDER the prison house.
1
Unfortunately, I don’t think there is a place in hell. God makes it abundantly clear that we are on our own and bad guys are the ones who profit the most.
How people so stupid and so immoral can amass so much money stuns my mind. Something is wrong with an economy that rewards such people. (And if it is inherited wealth, maybe the estate tax should be 100%.).
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The man’s name is Trump in case you hadn’t caught it. It’s probably very easy with so many of the same mindset working together to amass it all for themselves. There is a certain honor amongst thieves.
1
Congratulations to NYT for publishing this article. Although it's not politically correct to mention it, between them Asians and Africans are ending the existence of hundreds of animal species. Really heartbreaking. I'm glad I won't be around much longer; I don't want to live in a world without animals.
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I was not previously aware that oreos use palm oil. Very simply, oreos were a comfort food, but now I can't eat them because I don't find endangered animals comforting. Except pandas.
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Better make your own cookies anyway. Know what you eat.
1
Can we give them refugee status? They are victims of the same exploding population growth we are seeing with all the migrants coming to Europe.
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I don't see how that is even close to comparable.
4
What barbarians are we humans. As the article points out, we are in the endgame. Each species that disappears from the planet now is going or gone due to human greed and, yes, sadism.
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Some of these human 'barbarians' are hungry. It is not only the price of food in Venezuela that has reached the status of emergency crisis, but there is no food. We can weep on our pancakes over this state of affairs, or support the humans among us who are trying against the odds to find a remedy. Time is running out.
4
Do you eat chicken? Maybe a bit of introspection is in order? Walk the walk and then you can talk the talk.
Don’t underestimate human ignorance and stupidity. More education is needed in many nations about the importance of protecting biodiversity on planet earth.
1
This is so sickening. How much more damage must we create to the earth's ecosystem and how much more suffering must we inflict on other species? Our State Department must start being forceful in their dealing with countries that are heavens for animal trafficking; and we, along with other western democracies, must start deploying sanctions against those countries..
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We as humans must be alarmingly disconnected from what I believe is a natural human impulse towards compassion and empathy. How else to explain the many people who are willing to be entertained by the abuse and humiliation of beings who are obviously so similar to ourselves? The reason that Paris Hilton and her followers want to snuggle a baby orangoutang is because it is so much like a baby human. Look into the eyes of an ape, and you see a person looking back at you. If the smugglers are sick monsters, what does that make the consumers of their crimes?
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Natural goodness? Sorry, on science data rules. Yes there is goodness, but this proves that it ain’t our nature.
3
It seems many of the "front-line" smugglers are likely desperate for a way to feed themselves and their families. They are being exploited as well.
Overpopulation of the human species is the overarching issue. We need to control our own breeding worldwide so environmental concerns can be adequately addressed.
11
It's all about greed. The USA is also systemically destroying its wildlife, even though much of it is less majestic than Africa's. Creatures ranging from insects to large predators are being rampantly exterminated.
Humans have become the most dangerous and destructive infestation on earth.
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No need to disparage US wildlife as less majestic. I do think grizzly bears, elk, bobcats, mountain lions, wolverines, moose are pretty amazing and majestic—not to mention wolves, eagles, panthers, sage grouse, etc. we have a lot to preserve right here. We can be a good example and protect our wildlife and wilderness treasures, our priceless heritage.
2
Indeed, rapid decline is well along in progress. Speeding up. The fabric of all interdependent biologic activity is tattered and quite soon large gaps and complete breakdowns will occur. We are completely unprepared and will be completely shocked. Happening sooner than folks think. Devastating large scale collapse.
Jeff, thanks for an informative and well-written piece. I’ve only been to Kinshasa in the DRC, but have some idea of what it took you to get around that poorly-developed country so you could produce this excellent report. I also loved your memoir—keep up the great reporting and writing!
23
I hate humans..
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Me too. We deserve to be wiped out.
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But Mr. Stiles is a good human.
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That’s right. This is a very complicated story. Some of the humans are awful, some are trying to help, and others are just trying to survive. What we consider to be a precious resource of nature (the apes)others see as a way to survive in countries where children and adults die of starvation every day. Villains, heroes and victims with the apes caught in the middle. So tragic.
What a sad world we all live in. I applaud you Mr. Stiles for the work you do.
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Humankind's refusal to restrain our numbers is destroying the biosphere.
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Marigrow. In 10 words, you summarize my carefully composed 1487 character essay of two days ago.
We keep saying the Asians and the Arabs are the main source of funding in the hunting and poaching of endangered species. I have no doubt that is predominantly the case, but on my trip to Africa, my personal experience as well as that of some of my friends, is that there were quite a few 'good old American boys' yukking it up on the way down to get themselves a trophy. Change has to happen here before we can lecture others!
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Max: I must disagree. One need not have achieved angelic perfection to fight the truly evil. Otherwise: Evil goes unchallenged, and its victims unprotected.
2
Follow the money.
Very nice story. The inevitable growth of human mind about animal rights will lead to vegetarian diet. After all, why are some animals treated better and we go to great lengths to protect them while other animals are consumed for good. It is contradictory logic and intellectual dishonesty to eat any animals.
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We all have to die sometime, but none of us, human nor animal, should have to be prostitutes or slaves.
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Realist: (A singularly inappropriate handle.)
Check your teeth. We are omnivores.
1
Check your facts. Vegetarians live longer, have healthier hearts, less cancer and clean consciences.
1