Putting the Spotlight on Internally Displaced Animals (IDAs): A Survey of Primate Sanctuaries in Africa, Asia, and the Americas

Abstract

As anthropogenic activity makes deeper incursions into forests, fragmenting habitat, wildlife is forced into closer proximity to humans leading to increased incidences of human-wildlife conflict and wildlife displacement. These same incursions facilitate poaching for the commercial trade in dead and live animals. As a direct result, the number of sanctuaries and internally displaced animals (IDAs) in need of sanctuary placement and rehabilitation are increasing. We focus on internally displaced primates given the prevalence of primate-focused facilities and anthropomorphic considerations surrounding this taxonomic group. Surveys were distributed globally to map the extent and range of native primate sanctuaries and species. Over 70 facilities care for more than 6,000 native primates comprising 64 species, with almost half listed as endangered or critically endangered. As not all sanctuaries were identified at the time of the survey distribution, we estimate that the actual number of facilities is closer to double this number with a captive population in excess of 10,000 individual primates. Native primate sanctuaries hold significant numbers of primates in long-term captive care, with less than half (37%) identified as candidates for release. The surveyed sanctuary population accounts for 35% of the world's captive primates, as compared to ISIS-registered (where ISIS is International Species Information System) zoological facilities, although we estimate that the actual population is closer to 58%. For some species, the sanctuary population represents the only population in captivity. We discuss the prevalence of range-state sanctuaries and their primate populations, and issues surrounding their future development and management.

Abnormal Repetitive Behaviours of Confiscated Slow Loris (Nycticebus spp.) in Thailand

“…A main mission of rescue facilities is to provide help and standard welfare to confiscated animals [Trayford and Farmer, 2013]. Observation of ARBs in confiscated animals may provide useful information for the improvement of animal welfare.…”

“…The number of rescue facilities is increasing, and they hold almost 50% of Endangered and Critically Endangered primates, including those protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I [Trayford and Farmer, 2013]. Challenges for these facilities include providing immediate rescue and long-term effective care to the rescued animals [Trayford and Farmer, 2013].…”

Reintroduction of confiscated and displaced mammals risks outbreeding and introgression in natural populations, as evidenced by orang-utans of divergent subspecies

“…If sanctuaries are in a position to offer lifetime care, with little or no inter-breeding, such mixed genetic origins may not prove to be of importance. Often, however, reintroduction into natural populations is a primary objective of sanctuaries, assuming that concerns regarding disease and suitable habitat are adequately met 12 13 14 . Given that this can lead to de facto translocation, it is important to investigate possible outcomes by looking at deliberate or inadvertent translocations of mammals in the past.…”

“…comm., 17 January 2016) and c. 1516 orang-utans ( Pongo spp.) 14 . For many sanctuaries, reintroduction is an ultimate goal.…”

Contemporary Biological Anthropology in 2013: Integrative, Connected, and Relevant

“…The latest compilation has five species from Africa, six from Madagascar, nine from Asia, and five from the Neotropics. We are losing primate habitats at an unprecedented rate due to continued deforestation and other anthropogenic impacts on the land; these effects combined with pressures from the bush meat trade, emerging zoonotic infectious diseases, and the lucrative exotic pet–entertainment industries, as well as climate change, are hitting populations of nonhuman primates worse than ever (e.g., see Ahuka‐Mundeke et al ; Barrett et al ; Chapman et al ; Engel et al ; Macdonald et al ; Marsh and Chapman ; Nekaris et al ; Trayford and Farmer ). It is also critical to remember that most of the world's primates live in areas that experience significant human inequality in terms of poverty, gender, wealth, access to resources, and social disempowerment.…”