Endangered Species Act Pledge
Sign Your Name: Protect Chimpanzees & Other Endangered Species
Now more than ever must we take a stand. In the past 40 years, half of the Earth’s biodiversity has been lost. We are living in what scientists call, “The Sixth Great Extinction,”. Right now, the one vital piece of legislation that has been protecting species is under attack. For World Chimpanzee Day, you can do something about it.
Species on the Brink: We Must Save Them
Sign Your Name - Help Strengthen the Endangered Species Act
Species on the Brink: We Must Save Them
The Endangered Species Act, is a U.S. law passed by Congress in 1973. It protects 1,600 native plants and animals, and up to 2,300 of total species globally. 99% of the species listed under the Act are on a steady road to recovery from previous threats of extinction. The ESA has saved the lives of many creatures – including 85% of our nation’s birds, the black-footed ferret, the gray wolf, the steller sea lion, the grizzly bear, and many others.
Everything is connected in the fragile tapestry of life. Threats made to the Endangered Species Act are a threat to all life on Earth. Sign the pledge and contact your elected officials to let them know you support the Endangered Species Act and are taking a stand for chimpanzees.
Maintaining Hope - Sparing Chimpanzees and Other Species Forever
Our efforts depend on the involvement of people like you.
In the past century alone, chimpanzee populations have fallen from 1-2 million to as few as 340,000 because of threats such as deforestation and human development. In 2015, chimpanzees were listed for protection under the ESA, which was a monumental win for their conservation. It became illegal to participate in the commercial trade of great apes and protected those that are captive from inappropriate treatment. Under the ESA, wild populations of chimpanzees are considered endangered, and captive populations are considered threatened, putting chimpanzees on an international radar to increase the ongoing efforts and funding to protect them.
Now, there are bills attempting to reduce the regulations that once protected these animals or to remove certain species from the ESA list altogether. There are also proposed cuts to the funds and federal departments that help with conservation efforts throughout the country. There are also moves to put the responsibility of protecting endangered species on to individual states who often lack the funding themselves to support species protection, nor the mandate to work across State lines to maintain protections along migratory routes.
If the ESA faces these funding cuts and loss of support, important protections that have kept species like chimpanzees alive will be threatened. Their survival hangs in the balance.