header: Chimpanzee
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line Pan troglodytes Blumenbach, 1799


LEGAL STATUS

The chimpanzee is listed on Appendix I of the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Trade in it or its products is therefore subject to strict regulation by ratifying nations. Trade for primarily commercial purposes is banned. The species is protected by law throughout its range although enforcement is usually poor to non-existent. It is listed in Class A of the African Convention (1969), which prohibits the hunting or capture of the species except on the authorization of the highest competent authority, if required in the national interest or for scientific purposes.6

In 1995, 20 of the 21 nations that still held wild chimpanzee populations were signatories to CITES, the exception being Angola. Since the placement of the Chimpanzee on Appendix I in 1977, trade has been regulated among signatory nations. Approximately 145 live chimpanzees were registered as traded by CITES Parties in 1993. The majority originated from non-range states and were possibly captive bred.


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