Jakarta/Bangkok, 24 October 2016 - The United Nations “Wild for Life” campaign to raise awareness about endangered wildlife went live today on one of the most popular social media platforms in the country.
The launch of the “Wild for Life” campaign in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre, Jakarta, and Path Indonesia, is aimed at rallying public support to end demand that is driving illegal trade in wildlife. The campaign hopes to engage young Indonesians, primary users of the platform, to sign up for the campaign and raise awareness that this trade undermines economies, communities and threatens security.
“Wildlife crime threatens not only wildlife but local communities and national economies and sustains international crime cartels. Everyone has a role to play in fighting this menace, be they lawmakers, law enforcers, businesses or private citizens. The actions taken by each of us will determine the survival of the world’s wildlife,” said Isabelle Louis, Acting Regional Director, UN Environment Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.
Indonesian celebrities Davina Veronica and Anggun have joined the growing chorus of celebrity voices worldwide, calling for action to protect endangered species by cutting demand for wildlife and wildlife products and conserve iconic species such as orangutans, tigers, rhinos and helmeted hornbills.
“Path Indonesia is proud to champion this wonderful cause alongside the United Nations,” said Alex Kim, Path’s Managing Director for Indonesia. “We want to use what reach and capacity we have to bring social awareness and tangible change that will benefit all humanity.”
Illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth US$50-150 billion per year, with forest crime and illegal logging estimated at between US$30–100 billion annually. Asia-Pacific countries are major source, destination and transit points for the illegal trade in wildlife.
Indonesia’s rich biodiversity -- an invaluable link in the cycle of human life and wellbeing, as well as a source of national pride and sustainable economic development -- is endangered by shortsighted human actions and practices, including poaching. More than 70 per cent of all great ape seizures since 2013 are orangutans from Indonesia. Both Bornean and Sumatran orangutans are now listed as critically endangered.
#WildforLife is run by UN Environment, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
To join the Indonesian campaign, go to: is https://events.path.com/wildforlife/
For more information: Satwant Kaur, UN Environment Asia Pacific satwant.kaur@unep.org, +662 288 2127; Adelin Alexandra, UN Information Centre Jakarta, adelin.alexandra@unic.org, +6221-3983-1013
