RP to trace route of 10 apes

RP to trace route of 10 apes

MANILA (AFP): They weren't being used to smuggle illegal drugs, but why 10 endangered African apes were brought into this country from Pakistan remains a mystery, Philippine wildlife officials said here yesterday.

Meanwhile, the officials are giving all necessary care to the apes, even providing a surrogate mother for a young gorilla after being advised by the UK-based International Fund for Animal Welfare that this was necessary for the animal's survival.

The gorilla, two drill monkeys, one baboon, four vervet monkeys and two Patas monkeys were brought into the Philippines last week by two Pakistanis who claimed they were pets.

Airport officials confiscated the apes because the Pakistanis did not have the necessary permits to import endangered wildlife species. They will be charged with violating customs regulations, said Alma Ballesfin, chief of the wildlife bureau's regulations board.