Agency Details:

International Primate Protection League

IPPL's mission is to promote the conservation and protection of all nonhuman primates--including apes, monkeys, and lemurs--around the world. Our goal is to keep primates in their native habitat, where they belong.

Description:
The International Primate Protection League (IPPL) works to improve the lives of all primates, captive and wild. IPPL's activities include the following: 1) maintaining a sanctuary for rescued gibbons, the smallest of the apes, in Summerville, South Carolina; 2) cooperating with other pro-wildlife organizations on joint public-awareness campaigns regarding such issues as primate smuggling, abuse of primates as pets, and the bushmeat trade; 3) granting financial assistance for projects and programs overseas that target primates in their native countries; 4) offering logistical and advisory support for projects that benefit primates; and 5) conducting investigations of illegal international primate trafficking.

History:
IPPL was founded in 1973 by Dr. Shirley McGreal, then living in Thailand, who became concerned about the conditions of capture and transport of primates in that country. Since that time, IPPL has fought trafficking in nonhuman primates and worked internationally to improve conditions for captive animals. We have conducted many investigations of the illegal international trade in primates. As a result of IPPL's efforts, several smuggling itineraries (e.g., the smuggling of gibbons from Thailand through Singapore to the West) have been closed and several illicit animal traders (including Matthew Block and Walter Sensen) have been incarcerated. IPPL's investigative work has been recognized by the United Nations Environment Program, the Bellerive Foundation, and the Dutch Police League-Interpol Wildlife Crime Group.

Contact people:

Shirley McGreal, Chairwoman, (phone), (email) Barbara Allison, Office Manager, (phone)

Office fax number: (843) 871-7988

Address:

120 Primate Lane Summerville, SC 29483 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.ippl.org

Directions:

From downtown Charleston, travel on I-26 West to Exit 199A (US 17-Alt for Summerville-Moncks Corner) and head into Summerville on Main Street (do not take the earlier Summerville/Ladsen exit). After driving about 5 minutes, you will cross the railroad tracks. . . (more)

Last updated on July 1, 2009