tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988040711406219252.post8858305531169477911..comments2023-09-10T15:46:02.910+01:00Comments on Tales from the DRCongo: To Save A LifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988040711406219252.post-76343814784942728982009-01-27T03:12:00.000+01:002009-01-27T03:12:00.000+01:00That's the thing - the law is also on our side but...That's the thing - the law is also on our side but it's not easy to confiscate wildlife, unless you are authorized to do so - i.e. park wardens, etc. But even then, they dare not make a big deal about it because of repercussions from the community that they live with. I think in your case, the village has a lot of respect for foreigners, as well with the law. I really can't see the same thing happening here! Best of luck with your work - so sorry to read about the chimp that died.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988040711406219252.post-78956477831599750112009-01-26T14:53:00.000+01:002009-01-26T14:53:00.000+01:00Luckily, the law is on our side -- sure, they dema...Luckily, the law is on our side -- sure, they demand money but we never ever give them any.<BR/><BR/>And, because they are against the law even HAVING a chimp or having killed its mother, they don't have much leverage to get huffy or upset.<BR/><BR/>Most of the time even if the law isn't involved, we can convince people to give up the chimpanzee orphan just by mentioning that it IS against the law.<BR/><BR/>As you see, the guys from this past encounter got arrested and fined 15,000 francs (~$30) ... a HUGE amount when the standard daily wage here is less than $1.<BR/><BR/>We've also made good friends with the minister of the environment here, which has been a real boon to the cause. He's very sympathetic to the plight of chimpanzees in Congo and has worked hard to support us.<BR/><BR/>Bravo for being a fellow conservationist! There can never be too many of us :)Laura Darbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14075150657762708223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988040711406219252.post-17050384193095020982009-01-20T15:52:00.000+01:002009-01-20T15:52:00.000+01:00Hi Laura and Adam,I am surprised that you are able...Hi Laura and Adam,<BR/><BR/>I am surprised that you are able to confiscate chimps quite easily - don't the locals get upset and demand some compensation? Or threats of any kind? I am from Malaysia and have been working in the conservation line for about 8 years and it's difficult to confiscate wildlife of any kind. Even the park officials can be intimidated by the people who keep them. I admire your work in Congo - keep up the good work!Buddhaphishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08719590425236125352noreply@blogger.com