Use Movies to Teach Africans to Protect Wildlife!

I'm writing to tell you how PASA is using your generous donation for our Edutainment Films Program in Africa. Recently, we've expanded the program to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Edutainment Films Program is a unique approach to reducing illegal wildlife trafficking, which can readily be replicated across Africa. Education is an essential component of conservation, and people tend to learn more and retain more if they enjoy the learning process. PASA, in collaboration with our member organizations across Africa and a number of filmmakers, is widely distributing high-quality “edutainment” films in schools, at sanctuaries, on national television, and in other venues. The films, many of which were created in Africa for African audiences, have conservation messages that educate and inspire Africans to protect great apes and their habitat. Topics include illegal hunting, the illicit pet trade, and habitat exploitation. The goal of the program is to protect great apes by influencing millions of Africans.

You're making it possible to conduct the program in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is the most important country for great ape conservation. PASA’s three member organizations in the DRC – JACK Sanctuary, Lola ya Bonobo, and Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre – are implementing the program based on their existing outreach and education programs, connections, and other resources.

JACK Sanctuary is in the center of the city of Lubumbashi in southern DRC. In its urban location, the sanctuary receives many visitors, including expatriates living in the Congo who are likely to buy primates as pets, soldiers and government officials who are positioned to reduce the threats to wild apes, and Congolese people who may hunt and/or consume bushmeat. JACK’s thriving education program for its visitors, which particularly targets children, has now incorporated edutainment films. Your support is making it possible to provide a battery-powered projector, tablets, and external batteries, so the staff can consistently show films to visitors despite Lubumbashi’s unreliable electricity. PASA is in discussions with JACK about how to expand their use of the edutainment films and how PASA can provide additional support.

Lola ya Bonobo is located outside DRC’s capital of Kinshasa. PASA has provided French versions of a wide range of films to Lola’s staff. Lola runs education programs in collaboration with Kinshasa schools, hosts visitors at their sanctuary, and manages diverse conservation programs at their bonobo release site in Basankusu. They are interested in showing the films to all three of these audiences and we expect to have measurable results in the near future.

Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre (CRPL) in South Kivu, eastern DRC, is situated in a hotspot of biodiversity. Lwiro’s staff conducts education programs in 14 schools around Kahuzi-Biega National Park and they are enthusiastic about how the Edutainment Films Program will strengthen their existing programs. Because of you, Lwiro’s staff is now able to show the films in these schools and to Roots and Shoots clubs in the region. As many schools in the area lack televisions and computers, PASA will provide Lwiro with projectors, extra batteries, and related equipment as soon as possible.

On behalf of PASA and our member wildlife centers in Africa, I would like to thank you for the generous support which is making it possible to bring the Edutainment Films Program to three regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo and help protect great apes from extinction.

All best wishes,
Gregg Tully
Executive Director
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance
gregg@pasaprimates.org
+1 971 712 8360
pasaprimates.org
facebook.com/pasaprimates

Links:

• Visit PASA's website
• Join PASA on Facebook

Tragically, the plight of Africa’s chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, and bonobos is more desperate than ever.
• Wildlife trafficking is the fourth largest criminal enterprise in the world, behind drugs, counterfeiting, and human trafficking.
• Recent research found that about 60% of primate species are now threatened with extinction, and 75% are in decline.
• It's expected that within 13 years, 90% of great ape habitat will be damaged in some way by humans.

However, the news isn’t all bleak. Because of your support, the 22 organizations that are members of PASA are leading an effort throughout Africa to protect the remaining wild primates as well as their rapidly disappearing habitat. They have spent decades working year-round in Africa to protect wildlife, and have developed strong collaborative relationships with government agencies and local communities. They use these relationships to create long-term changes that are helping to save our closest relatives from extinction.

Your support for the program to use entertaining films with conservation messaging is invaluable. You're making it possible to influence millions of people across Africa.

• 13 PASA member organizations regularly send forest patrols into crucial wildlife habitat in 10 African countries. These ecoguards put their lives on the line to arrest smugglers and remove cruel traps and snares.
• PASA members in 7 countries have successfully worked with governments to create new national parks and other protected areas.
• Since lack of law enforcement is a widespread problem in Africa, 17 PASA member organizations in 13 countries are lobbying for better protection of wild primates and their habitat. 9 organizations have successfully backed stronger habitat protection laws.
• 15 PASA member wildlife centers are conducting reforestation projects in wildlife habitat.

We can’t stand by while some of the most intelligent species on earth are hunted and trafficked to extinction.

PASA member wildlife centers are leading an effort to save numerous primate species from disappearing forever. You can join the movement – please donate now.

We don’t have any time to spare. Without your support, I worry that soon it will be too late to save chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and many monkey species from extinction.

Protecting primates together,
Gregg Tully
Executive Director
Pan African Sanctuary Alliance

PS: We urgently need support we can depend on to expand our programs. Please give today.

Links:

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• Visit PASA's website!