Human concern for the welfare of domestic and wild animals is nothing new. A number of animal protection organisations were in existence over two hundred years ago. What is new in this century is the knowledge that human activities are threatening the survival of many wild species. Probably the most dangerous of those activities is the trade in wild animals or in their parts or products. The extent of this trade has been gradually uncovered and, over the last 40 years, much national legislation and many international conventions have been introduced with the purpose of controlling this trade, but it has not been able to solve all the problems. Poaching, or the illegal capture or killing, of wild animals and smuggling, or the illegal trade in wild animals, continues at an unacceptable level.
Dr. Shirley McGreal has made a quite exceptional contribution to the welfare of individual wild animals and to the survival of whole species through her foundation, 25 years ago, of the International Primate Protection League. She discovered four very important things. First, that many of the problems are due to ignorance and apathy rather than to malice, corruption or greed. Second, that rational argument and persuasion are more effective than aggression and confrontation. Third, that nothing can be achieved without accurate information. Fourth, that gaining public support and using public opinion is absolutely vital for success.
She also discovered, to her considerable cost, that where the motive for poaching and smuggling is economic greed, any attempt to intervene can be extremely dangerous. Needless to say, that has never discouraged her from pursuing the purposes of the League with the utmost courage and persistence.
I am delighted to know that the 25th anniversary of the Primate Protection League is being celebrated and that Dr. McGreal’s personal contribution to its success is being recognised. She fully deserves all the compliments and the praise for her work and I hope she will be spared many more years to continue this critical program for the welfare, protection and conservation of primates throughout the world.
Philip
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