THE SANCTUARY
The sanctuary provides a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees confiscated by the Guinean authorities following poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking cases. Since its creation, nearly 100 chimpanzees of all ages have found refuge at the sanctuary.
Behind every rescued chimpanzee lies a tragic story. To capture a single infant, poachers usually kill its mother along with several other members of its community (often around ten individuals). The orphan is then sold as a pet, while the adults are most often killed for the bushmeat trade.
When they arrive at the sanctuary, young chimpanzees require round-the-clock care. They receive specialised veterinary treatment, an appropriate diet, and daily support from the sanctuary’s dedicated caregivers. Today, more than 60 chimpanzees live at the Chimpanzee Conservation Center.
Bush school
For the youngest chimpanzees, rehabilitation begins with what the team calls “Bush School.”
Every day, accompanied by their caregivers, the orphans gradually rediscover their natural environment. They learn to identify edible plants, climb trees, build nests, use tools, and interact with other chimpanzees. These are all essential skills they will need to one day live independently in the wild.
Learning to Live in a Group
As their rehabilitation progresses, the chimpanzees are gradually introduced into adult social groups, where they can continue developing the social skills essential to their well-being and future. The team carefully monitors every interaction to build stable groups in which each individual can develop the natural behaviours needed for an eventual return to the wild.
This learning process takes time. Like humans, chimpanzees mature slowly and do not reach adulthood until around the age of 13. Their rehabilitation therefore lasts around ten years, and sometimes even longer, before a release into their natural habitat can be considered.
👉🏾 YOU CAN HELP
By sponsoring a chimpanzee, you directly contribute to its daily care and rehabilitation:
