The Linnean Society of London

The Linnean Society of London presents “Indispensable Sanctuaries” with Dr. Sheri Speede

Wednesday, 8 June 2022

How important are sanctuaries to species conservation?

Poaching and habitat destruction are driving Africa’s Great Apes rapidly toward extinction. Dr. Sheri Speede will provide background information and an analysis of these forces, which, if unchanged, will result in the disappearance of chimpanzees and gorillas from our world.

She will argue that individual primates are worth saving, and that sanctuaries, like Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue, are vitally important for conservation. Not only are sanctuaries a critical element for the arrest, prosecution and conviction of poachers and traffickers, they also carry out conservation programs that are the most effective on the continent when evaluated per dollar spent.

Charged with the care of long-lived primates, sanctuary directors and staff stay in the field long-term and learn firsthand what works and what doesn’t. While saving precious individuals, they address the big picture in wildlife conservation from a truly informed, ethical and compassionate perspective.