NEWS

WIRES

OTHER

Orangutans Could Be Extinct in 20 Years

by Peter Jenkins

Across the world, illegal timber operations are decimating vital habitat for orangutans and other wildlife. In fact, a recent U.N. report predicts that orangutans could be extinct within the next 20 years -- the victims of habitat destruction due mainly to illegal timber harvests and land conversion.

That's the bad news. The good news is that we have an opportunity in today to help save orangutans and other wildlife threatened by illegal logging.

Take action now! Urge your Senators to support the Wyden-Alexander Amendment to the Farm Bill, an important provision to curb illegal logging and protect wildlife habitat around the world.

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.

Send a message to your Senators now and urge them to do something to stop illegal timber harvests that are driving orangutans toward extinction.

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.

Help save the forest homes of the world's remaining orangutans. Please send a message to your Senators right now and urge them to support the Wyden-Alexander Amendment.

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.

Our orangutans can't afford to wait. Please send your message today.