Stop Sir Richard Branson's Controversial Lemur Relocation Plan
- por: M. Perry
- destinatário: Government of the British Virgin Islands
Sir Richard Branson intends to import lemurs to his properties in the British Virgin Islands and release them into the wild, posing a threat to the islands' native ecosystem.
We the undersigned appeal to you to revoke your approval of Sir Richard Branson's plan to import lemurs to Moskito Island and Necker Island.
Although Sir Branson's intentions are admirable, conservationists around the globe, including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, believe that the lemurs pose a grave threat to the islands' natural ecosystem. Captive breeding programs already exist for lemurs in situations that do not pose any risks to other wildlife. Additionally, despite Sir Branson's environmental impact report, it is unknown how the lemurs will adapt to the island environment. Two of the proposed lemur species, the ring-tailed lemur and red-ruffed lemur, are both on the Red List of Threatened Species.
Please halt Sir Branson's plan until this issue can be examined more thoroughly by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
Respectfully yours,
