While the forecast for primate populations is grim, primate conservation is not yet a lost cause, and mitigation of environmental and anthropogenic pressures leading to population declines can be reversed. This is dependent on the immediate implementation of scientific, political, and management actions. This is a formidable challenge and success requires that sustainable solutions address the social, cultural, economic, and ecological interdependencies that are the basis of primate conservation. The first step is really to publicize the plight of these important animals so that people, governments, NGOs and others are really aware of what is happening to our close cousins and then to encourage urgent and effective conservation policies. Such policies vary from one country to the next and from one primate species to the next. We are down to the last round and have one last opportunity to reduce or even eliminate the human threats to primates and their habitats, to guide conservation efforts, and to raise worldwide awareness of their predicament. Primates are a critical part of who we are, and it is your responsibility to make people aware and to pressurize others to stop habitat destruction and animal killing.
As conservation photographers our first job is to show the beauty and charisma of these animals. Persuade your friends, family and colleagues to look at the photographs exhibited here and to subscribe to this free online magazine. Make your stance against global markets exploiting rainforest products such as not buying furniture made from tropical hard woods. Orangutans are being driven to rapid extinction through the planting of palm oil plantations so seek out ways of avoiding products with palm oil. This is not easy since palm oil is found in many products, ranging from candy bars to toothpaste and rarely is it clearly labeled. The best way is to simply choose products that contain clearly labeled oils, such as 100 percent sunflower oil, corn oil, olive oil, coconut oil, or canola oil. Together we can save these animals – our closest relatives.