On May 1, 2010 at Duke University, we organized a working group ("The role of undergraduates in primate conservation") to review the threats facing primates and discuss the role of American universities, zoos and primate centers in primate conservation. Members included leaders in primate conservation from universities and zoos (e.g. Dr. Tom Struhsaker, Dr. Rich Bergl and Dr. Josh Linder), university administrators, and graduate and undergraduate students passionate about primate conservation.
Some of the take-away points from this working group are:
- need for increased conservation themes in university curriculum
- solutions to many of the threats to primates relate to human health and education, requiring collaborations with people in global health, environmental education, and social justice
In addition, from this working group, undergraduate students from James Madison University who participated decided to create their own Roots & Shoots group.
We hope to have a second working group in the spring of 2011 that includes more people from global health and civic engagement as well as primatology and conservation. The goal of the second meeting will be to develop a primate conservation undergraduate action plan.
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