Mon Dec 30 07:54:26 UTC 2024: ## Cameroonian Sanctuary Offers Hope to Orphaned Chimpanzees
**Douala-Edea National Park, Cameroon —** A sanctuary in Cameroon is providing a lifeline for orphaned chimpanzees facing extinction due to poaching, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Papaye International, a French NGO, operates the sanctuary on three islands within the Douala-Edea National Park, providing care and rehabilitation for 34 chimpanzees.
Many of the chimps arrived at the sanctuary after witnessing the brutal killings of their mothers or suffering captivity in the exotic pet trade. According to Marylin Pons Riffet, the sanctuary’s head, the organization only accepts orphaned young chimpanzees who require human assistance after experiencing trauma.
The sanctuary focuses on re-acclimating the chimps to a semi-wild environment, separated from their primary predator: humans. Caretakers like Fabrice Moudoungue build trusting relationships with the animals, providing daily care and fostering a strong bond. Stories of chimps like Honey, released after ten years of care, and Conso, who overcame the trauma of captivity and shackling, highlight the sanctuary’s success.
The sanctuary’s work is crucial, as common chimpanzee populations have drastically declined since the 1980s, putting the species at risk of extinction in the wild. The dedication of the caretakers, who often form deep emotional connections with their charges, underscores the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these intelligent and endangered primates. The sanctuary’s success offers a beacon of hope for the future of chimpanzees in the region.
First Piper 