I got this email from the Defenders of Wildlife (3:20 PM EST on 11/01):
And while the insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide, America has no law against importing illegally-harvested wood into the U.S.
As Director of Defenders of Wildlife’s international conservation programs, I know the devastating impacts that illegal logging has on habitat for our endangered orangutans.
These primates -- one of our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom -- are rapidly being driven to extinction. Illegal logging has recently taken place in 37 of Indonesia’s 41 national parks, some of the last strongholds of the endangered orangutan.
The insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide. Yet America has no law against importing illegally harvested wood into the U.S.
But your Senators may never have a chance to vote on this important amendment unless you take action right away.
Sincerely,
Peter Jenkins
"Orangutans could be extinct by 2020 -- the victims of habitat destruction intensified by illegal timber trafficking.
And while the insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide, America has no law against importing illegally-harvested wood into the U.S.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that we have an opportunity in the next 48 hours to help save orangutans and other wildlife threatened by illegal logging.
As Director of Defenders of Wildlife’s international conservation programs, I know the devastating impacts that illegal logging has on habitat for our endangered orangutans.
These primates -- one of our closest genetic relatives in the animal kingdom -- are rapidly being driven to extinction. Illegal logging has recently taken place in 37 of Indonesia’s 41 national parks, some of the last strongholds of the endangered orangutan.
The insatiable demand for cheap wood products and luxury hardwoods in the United States, Europe and Japan is driving illegal logging operations worldwide. Yet America has no law against importing illegally harvested wood into the U.S.
The Wyden-Alexander Amendment would give enforcement agencies a powerful tool in the fight against illegal timber traffickers by making it a crime to knowingly import, sell, buy or transport illegally-sourced wood and wood products.
But your Senators may never have a chance to vote on this important amendment unless you take action right away.
This amendment is our best chance this year to fight illegal timber trafficking and save the orangutans that are threatened by it, but we don’t have much time. The Senate is expected to decide on whether to allow debate on the Wyden-Alexander Amendment by the end of the week.
Sincerely,
Peter Jenkins
Director, International ConservationDefenders of Wildlife
Labels: Defenders of Wildlife, orangutans
posted by Stacy~ at 11/02/2007 05:19:00 AM
Ah, it is so terribly sad. I hate this. Poor little orangutans :(
byHey! I work there! I was on the phone with Peter this AM. Thanks for highlighting this important issue, Stace.
byAw, thats sad :(
byI love them. They are sooo cute.
Hi everyone--
byI'm the Director of Orangutan Outreach. We work directly with BOS to raise awareness and funds for Nyaru Menteng as well as several other projects in Borneo. I hope you enjoyed the show. Please visit our website to learn more about the orangutans at Nyaru Menteng and Lone's work...
http://redapes.org
Thanks, Rich
Toni, it is sad.
byMaryKate, I know you do. I've tried to spread the word when I can. It's a very serious concern of mine.
Chantal, I agree, they are cute, and they should be protected.
Rich, thanx for stopping by. I definitely plan on checking out more info on this and other causes.