Infrastructures

Infrastructures

Infrastructure of the Centre de Conservation pour Chimpanzés


Thanks to the dedication of our staff and generous support received by our donors, the facilities of the CCC have undergone changes over recent years.

Today, the facilities consist of:

  • Quarantine,
  • cages and enclosures,
  • veterinary room,
  • food hall
  • camps

Quarantine (Les bébés)

As newcomers are generally young, the structure of the quarantine facility is well suited for smaller chimpanzees and a welcoming area for new arrivals. A permanent building, which includes individual cages, quarantine provides comfort and security when the babies cannot be out in the bush i.e. at night and during naps. Generally, newcomers are in quarantine for a period of at least 3 months to observe their health and ensure that they are not carrying any diseases.

Quarantaine
Quarantine building

Cages and enclosures

Each of the three groups of chimpanzees (Nursery, Small and Large) have their own enclosure that includes a large, electrified, wooded area where they can climb trees, play and forage for food. A tunnel connects their respective cages to the enclosures, allowing the chimpanzees, as they choose, access to both day and night structures. This design allows tired or sick individuals to stay within the comfort of their cage while the others may continue to frolic in the trees.

Cages
“Large” & “Small” cages
Nursery
Cage and “Nursery” group enclosure

Veterinary room

Since 2011, thanks to support received from a generous donor, the CCC veterinary room is now equipped with cabinets and a professional operating table! The upgraded facility allows the CCC to store materials in optimal hygienic conditions, enclosing medicine to prevent unwanted guests, such as insects and rodents. Additionally, the security of the veterinary room was reinforced by adding an unbreakable door and is also equipped with windows with steel bars to prevent the chimpanzees from entering.

Salle vétérinaire
Veterinary Room

Food Room

CCC shopping trips are an important economic contribution to the villagers. The CCC purchases food for the chimpanzees twice a week at the Park villages. Food consists of milk for the young chimpanzees, fresh fruits, starch food and fruits from the bush, all of which are prepared and stored in the food room.

Foodroom
Storage room for the chimpanzee’s food

Camps

Since the release of the first group of Chimpanzees in 2008, the CCC has had two bases within the Haut Niger National Park:

  • Somoria: where the CCC sanctuary is located and is home to nearly 60 chimpanzees. Somoria consists of two camps: one for the keepers and one for the volunteers. Consisting of several traditional earth and straw huts, the camps provide simple comfort and are located in proximity to the chimpanzees’ enclosures.
  • Bakaria: release site of the 12 chimpanzees in June 2008 and 3 chimpanzees in 2011.

The remote release site lies along the Niger River. The site consists of a security room where telemetry equipment is stored and two huts that were built in collaboration with villagers and volunteers. This camp is home to staff who, at a distance, follow the released chimpanzees by foot in good health.

Somoria
Somoria camps huts
Bakaria
Bakaria camps huts