Providing a safe haven for victims of the illegal bushmeat trade
While the Jane Goodall Institute is committed to addressing the issues that threaten the survival of Great Apes in the wild, we also recognise the immediate need to protect the victims of the illegal bushmeat trade – chimpanzees that have been injured or orphaned, often in horrific circumstances. In most countries it is illegal to take endangered species like chimpanzees from the wild. In cooperation with African governments we are ensuring that illegally held chimpanzees are confiscated from poachers or market vendors and placed in sanctuaries.
JGI supports chimpanzee sanctuaries, which currently house more than 200-orphaned chimpanzees. These sanctuaries provide a safe refuge where chimpanzees can be cared for and given the chance to live reasonably full lives in spacious conditions.
The sanctuaries also create local jobs and serve as important hubs of community-centered conservation and environmental education activities. Unfortunately, the bushmeat trade means that there is a steady influx of new arrivals at our sanctuaries
STUDENT & TEACHER RESOURCE ABOUT ILLEGAL COMMERCIAL BUSHMEAT TRADE
Sanctuaries are only a temporary solution. Chimps belong in the Wild. Given the very real threat of chimpanzee extinction, the release of captive animals into their natural habitat is increasingly being seen as valuable conservation tool. Reintroduction is both a complex and controversial endeavor – and the risk is high. Ultimately, release programs must contribute to the survival of chimps in the wild.
There has been a massive influx of young orphan chimpanzees who have been captured illegally from the wild. Although sanctuaries are a good "band aid" solution in the short term, they cannot provide the needed conditions for the orphans to express their whole range of natural behaviours. While in sanctuary, the orphans often become highly dependant on humans for food and protection, making future reintroduction programs almost impossible.
JGI is conducting preliminary studies on the feasibility of a reintroduction project in the area of our Tchimpounga Sanctuary in the Republic of Congo.
The first step is the creation of a pre-release environment where new arrivals to our sanctuaries will be able to learn how to forage for natural vegetation, build nests, and develop the social bonds necessary for their survival in the wild.
Africa’s largest sanctuary is home to more than 150 chimpanzees orphaned through the bushmeat trade. JGI Australia has provided funding for daily sanctuary operation, and has now involved another partner to assist us with our work there this is the Taronga Conservation Society.
Taronga will support Tchimpounga for the period of 5 years. Initially the assistance provides support for the veterinary requirements either salaries or drugs, however Taronga wants to support the reintroduction program so this is where their support will be given in the future.
Taronga will also be able to send staff to assist in the training of staff for certain techniques prior to the chimpanzees being moved to their new island homes.
By the time a chimpanzee comes to the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, his life has already been brutally broken. Chimpanzees have been captured. Hurt. Abused. Sick. Tormented at the hands of the exotic pet and “entertainment” trades. And orphaned as infants by bushmeat hunters who most likely slaughtered their mothers before their very eyes, forever breaking the strong bond between mother and infant that otherwise would last a lifetime. Chimpanzees share the same emotions we do — happiness, fear, despair — and the psychological damage done to them is often far more scarring than the injuries that they bear. Some have the potential to be reintroduced into their natural habitat. But others can never go back.
That’s why JGI’s 3 Island Expansion Sanctuary is so essential for their well being. After 3 years, JGI has finally secured the perfect location for special supplemental sanctuary facilities — three Islands along the Kouilou River that offer a secure, suitable, and controlled environment. Offering natural habitat, these islands will enable our chimpanzees, which currently have limited access to natural habitat, to explore the forest, build nests, and develop stronger social bonds.
Chimpanzees that have been held in captivity need to be given the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to enable survival in the wild. However, the sad truth is many of the chimpanzees at Tchimpounga will never be candidates for reintroduction. They may have too many emotional or psychological scars, or too many medical issues. So this is the closest they will ever get to being back in their natural habitat.
We need to raise US$900,000 immediately to cover the essential construction and infrastructure costs like
The land is secured and the blueprints are ready. But unless we start laying the foundation by August, we will run into the rainy season in September and it will delay our project another year. Please help us move them to their new island home. Thank you for caring so much … and for your responsible stewardship of these magnificent creatures.
JGI Australia was also very involved in the construction of the new panels for the islands, which were made in Adelaide at AllSteel. Staff from Zoos South Australia and volunteers have assisted in the design work as well as a community drive to add to the to containers that have finally left Adelaide on their way to the Congo.
Taronga has assisted further with their second staff member, from the Works division who will go to Tchimpounga to assist in laying the foundations for these panels as well as coordinated & researched the work for the fence posts, which will be made of recycled plastics. Thank you to Mathew Green for all his work.
Also from Taronga, there are two other staff members who are assisting the Manager at Tchimpounga with the behavioral and genetic profiling for the chimps that will ultimately be released. Margaret Hawkins and a team of volunteers will assist us with the selection process and we are looking also with Taronga, the monies required to do an extensive pre and post research on the possible stress caused by their reintroduction back to the wild, when it all happens.
Located on an island in Lake Victoria, this sanctuary provides excellent care for 44 rescued chimpanzees, and growing. Run by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservation Trust, CSWCT also contributes to public awareness of conservation issues and engages communities living alongside chimp populations. Taronga Zoo contributed years ago to assist in the purchase of the island and still sends staff to assist with the work undertaken at the Sanctuary.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON JGI’S CHIMPANZEE REASEARCH
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