Queen honors S.C. conservationist for dedication to primates
Contributed by the International Primate Protection League

A gibbon, one of the primates Dr. Shirley McGreal protects in her primate sanctuary in Summerville

Queen Elizabeth II of England recently honored a S.C. woman who has dedicated her life to saving the world's primates.

Dr. Shirley McGreal, founder of the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) and native of England, was bestowed with the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for "service to the protection of primates."

McGreal's name was included on the prestigious 2008 British Honors list. The OBE is one of the highest honors the Queen can bestow on an individual.

With more than three decades of experience fighting to protect primates, McGreal and IPPL's accomplishments are impressive. McGreal exposed Florida- based wildlife trafficker Matthew Block to prison for illegally smuggling highly- endangered orangutans; documented and exposed the notorious Singapore and Belgian primate black markets; exposed the abuse of rhesus monkeys from India in gruesome U.S. military radiation experiments, resulting in a ban on all primate exports from India; and investigatedand exposed illegal wildlife trade rackets and black markets in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and throughout the world.

"I am deeply honored by the Queen's recognition of IPPL's work, and I hope it inspires others to protect primates, who are disappearing from the Earth at an alarming rate," said McGreal.

In honor of IPPL's 30th anniversary, England's Prince Phillip wrote, "The League can look back with much pride on its very considerable achievements ... most primate populations around the globe are in a better state thanks to its activities. . . . This is a very dangerous business, and it takes real courage to collect evidence, track smugglers, and bring illegal dealers to justice."

McGreal will travel to England in the spring when Queen Elizabeth will personally bestow on her the OBE honor.

IPPL is based in Summerville, S.C., where Dr. McGreal directs a primate sanctuary housing 38 gibbons rescued from dismal conditions in laboratories, substandard zoos, and private homes. Founded in 1973, IPPL has field representatives in 31 countries where they create and preserve national parks and sanctuaries, and secure bans on primate hunting, trapping, and local and international trade.

For more information on IPPL accomplishments, www.ippl.org.