ANIMAL
PETITIONS

The Great Ape Project campaign is urging UNESCO to take a groundbreaking step and officially recognize orangutans, bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas as a Living World Heritage. This bold move is more urgent than ever, as these magnificent creatures face an existential threat, with the potential of being wiped out within the next decade – a fate that has already befallen other primate species and is currently unfolding for thousands of other species in an unprecedented wave of extinction.

One of the primary drivers of this crisis is the relentless clearing of tropical forests, which are the vital habitats for great apes and countless other species. Orangutans, bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas belong to the hominid family, sharing not only common ancestors with humans but also a remarkable array of cognitive skills.

While UNESCO currently does not recognize living beings as World Heritage, the Great Ape Project argues that there is no greater or more beautiful heritage than nature itself and its inhabitants. By adopting the Living World Heritage concept, UNESCO would take a bold step in acknowledging the intrinsic value and fundamental rights of these extraordinary beings.

This initiative has already gained significant traction among scientists, academics, writers, and organizations in Spain, forming a broad alliance dedicated to raising awareness about the dramatic extinction crisis and ensuring that great apes are granted the protection and recognition they deserve.

We urge you to join this crucial campaign by signing this petition and demanding that UNESCO take action to safeguard the future of our closest living relatives. By declaring great apes as Living World Heritage, UNESCO would send a powerful message about the importance of preserving biodiversity and the interconnectedness of all life on our planet.

Together, we can ensure that these remarkable creatures are not lost forever, and that future generations can marvel at the majesty of orangutans, bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas in their natural habitats. Sign the petition today and lend your voice to this vital cause.