SAN FRANCISCO -- Primatologist Jane Goodall criticized President Bush's environmental policies Sunday, charging the White House with leading an "onslaught" against the Endangered Species Act that could lead to more African animals being killed or captured for profit.

There are certain people in decision-making places who are clearly doing the wrong thing. If we care about justice and we care about stewardship of the planet, we have to speak out.

Jane Goodall

Goodall, famed worldwide for her life's work studying and protecting chimpanzees in Tanzania, said her beloved apes and other species face a threat from the Bush Administration that could undo decades of conservation efforts. "When I start talking about the long list of reversals of legislation that the Bush administration has introduced over the last three years, it's terrifying," Goodall said during an appearance at San Francisco's Episcopal Grace Cathedral.

She cited an effort by the White House to amend the 1973 Endangered Species Act so U.S. companies can import a certain number of endangered animals if they compensate the animals' native countries with money for conservation programs. Currently, such animals can't be imported into the United States.

Goodall said she believes circus owners and other businesses that use animals for entertainment or research are responsible for the proposed change.

"Obviously, they have lobbied someone in the administration to introduce this terrible bill," Goodall said. "We mustn't let it happen."

Goodall is known internationally as an outspoken advocate for environmental causes. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan named Goodall a U.N. Messenger of Peace last year, and she was made a dame of the British Empire -- the female equivalent of a knight -- by Queen Elizabeth this year.

Goodall also accused Bush of promoting a global climate of fear since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to justify building more nuclear weapons. "The president of the United States has sent a message around the world -- be afraid," Goodall said, contrasting Bush's leadership with Winston Churchill's reassuring style when World War II terrorized her native England.

Asked whether her blunt remarks put her at risk of being labeled partisan, Goodall said she merely calls situations as she sees them, without regard to politics.

"There are certain people in decision-making places who are clearly doing the wrong thing," she said. "If we care about justice and we care about stewardship of the planet, we have to speak out."

Copyright 2003 The Associated Press

###