Due to the need to strengthen the work in Europe, where the Great Ape Project is requesting signatures and support to UNESCO to recognize Great Apes as World Living Heritage, the board of directors of the organization, which has been fighting, for 17 years, to achieve the basic rights of great apes and their habitat protection, was renewed.
Pedro Pozas Terrados assumes the Presidency of GAP Project International and Paulina Bermúdez, from GAP Mexico, the vice-presidency. Pedro Alejandro Ynterian, who until then held the presidency, assumes the position of General Secretary of GAP.
Paulina Bermúdez brings her youth, dedication, experience and strength in the fight for the fate of the Great Apes who still suffer in captivity in zoos, and all kinds of animal abuse in Latin America. She also holds the position of Executive Director of GAP Project in Mexico, where, in a few months, could issue warnings to the Mexican government on animal abuse in zoos, especially of Great Apes, and put together a great team, which is spreading the information in different states of the country and is already known by their non-violent actions by the media. Her work, enthusiasm, hope and effort make it worthy her new international position, further enhancing the commitment to the non-human living beings and continuing with her work in Mexico.
Pedro Pozas Terrados, writer and naturalist, co-founder, with Francisco Cuellar Junio, of Great Ape Project Spain (which he remains the CEO), assumes the Presidency of GAP International, which will allow him to have a greater presence in Europe, Africa and Oceania, where the future of Great Apes is decided. In 2014, he was declared by the National University of Cordoba (Argentina) as “Distinguished Visitor”, one of the highest honors awarded by that university, due to his continuosly work, in the last few years, in defense of the basic rights of Great Apes.
Pedro A. Ynterian, who leads GAP Project Brazil, in São Paulo, now assumes as General Secretary. He has done a great job to extend the project to other countries by financing travel costs and accommodation for the rights of Great Apes reach all corners of the earth.
Independently, but clearly connected, Dr. Peter Ynterian is the director of the largest Great Ape Sanctuary that exists in Latin America, recognized and supported by the UN, where more than 50 chimpanzees rescued from circuses and zoos in Brazil and other countries live in a real “chimpanzees” city, with large spaces and having what they like. Many of them come from places where they were mistreated and carry severe psychological trauma.
The sanctuary is also home for animals of other species, such as bears, lions, parrots and other primates rescued or seized by Brazilian authorities. The contribution of his work and the love this great man feels for the animals makes him a very special person, lover of life and the rights of non-human living beings.
“It is true that, by strategy, the international board of GAP Project has been renovated. I assume the responsibility of the Presidency and I hope not to disappoint. It is also true that the appointment of positions is importante for people from outside the organization. All the representatives of Great Ape Project, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Brazil, Uruguay, Portugal, etc form a team that works tirelessly and voluntarily for the right of Great Apes and to break the barriers of species. We work for freedom without chains, beyond humanity and the defense of their habitat. We struggle peacefully in institutions, on the streets, so the cages remain empty, so the pools with dolphins and orcas remain empty too, so circuses entertain children without using animals, to educate our young people with respect to all living beings and, ultimately, grant and raise our dignity as human beings, respecting all living beings who share with us the unstoppable path of evolution “; said Pedro Pozas Terrados, current President of GAP Project International and Executive Director of the Great Ape Project (GAP / PGS-Spain).
To Pozas, Pedro A. Ynterian, now General Secretary of the GAP, was and is a worldwide reference in the protection of great apes and should be internationally recognized for his work and effort made in favor of the Great Apes.
Pedro Pozas Terrados
President – GAP Project International
Executive Director – Project Great Apes (GAP / PGS-Spain)

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