KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan addressed an intergovernmental meeting that is to discuss the protection of great apes:

"The great apes are our close relatives. Like us, they are self-aware. They have tools, medicines, cultures and politics. Not only do they communicate with each other, they can learn to use sign language and have conversations with people.

Sadly, however, we have not treated them with the respect they deserve. Habitat loss, disease, hunting and illegal trade are driving them to the brink of extinction. The total number of great apes in the world is now probably no more than 400,000, where only fifty years ago it was at least 2 million." - UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Find out more: Annan Calls for Consolidating Efforts for Great Apes' Survival