Protecting Chimpanzees

The 2024 dry season brought significant challenges to our project partners, particularly in terms of water management. Over the past few years, they have seen a notable increase in the number of orphaned chimpanzees arriving at their facility—six in 2022 and three in 2023. The 2024 dry season was particularly harsh, culminating in a fire that broke out in one of their enclosures in April.

In addition to the fire hazard posed by the drought, there is also a significant risk to our partner’s agricultural projects as well as the delicate balance within chimpanzee habitats. Reduced water availability can lead to crop failures, jeopardising the success of the newly established rice farming areas and threatening the livelihoods of the Komoya community. In turn, this could increase the temptation to revert to unsustainable practices, such as illegal logging and hunting, further endangering chimpanzees.

Moreover, drought conditions can exacerbate the already strained resources within chimpanzee habitats, leading to greater competition for water and food between wildlife and human populations. This could heighten the risk of human-wildlife conflict, as both parties struggle to access dwindling resources, potentially leading to more frequent and dangerous encounters.

DSWF and our project partners are deeply committed to environmental education. This past school year, over 800 children participated in the environmental education programme. The year ended with a highly anticipated excursion to the forest in April, where each child received a reusable water bottle, reinforcing the importance of reducing plastic waste. Beyond the classroom, the team is actively working in local villages to establish Nature Clubs, which build on our current education programme to increase accessibility. These clubs are particularly important in reaching children who do not attend school, especially in the rural areas surrounding the National Park, where 40% of children are not enrolled in formal education.

Through these initiatives, our partners aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world among the next generation, ensuring that conservation efforts are rooted in the communities that live closest to these precious ecosystems.

As always, thank you for your generous support in providing a more sustainable future for the chimpanzees of Guinea, and the communities that live alongside them.

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