Dear U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
Thank you for completing a thorough scientific review of the status of chimpanzees under the Endangered Species Act, and for proposing that all chimpanzees be listed as endangered. I support the proposed rule as it will increase protections for captive chimpanzees in the U.S. and promote species conservation in the wild.
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The use of captive chimpanzees in entertainment, the pet trade and invasive research negatively affects wild populations by leading the public to believe that chimpanzees are not in need of conservation. In addition, captive chimpanzees frequently suffer abuse and neglect in these industries.
Please help all chimpanzees by applying Endangered Species Act protections to captive chimpanzees. The U.S. government must do all it can to help conserve this intelligent and imperiled species, and the best available science supports this change in regulation.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input. I look forward to hearing your final decision.