In Depth Coverage

Centre de Conservation des Chimpanzés (CCC)

Despite the existence of one of the largest wild chimpanzee populations in West Africa, only one project provides sanctuary for confiscated chimpanzees in Guinea. But the illegal trading of chimpanzees for the pet market, agricultural deforestation and habitat destruction are significant problems for the chimpanzees of Guinea.

Since September 2005, the CCC and Project Primate have been major partners to the chimpanzee conservation and sensitization program funded by USAID and managed by the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI).

1. The CCC's mission is to eventually become a regional chimpanzee sanctuary and to preserve the wild population of chimpanzees existing in Guinea to prevent the extinction of the subspecies Verus, which is rapidly approaching.
   
   
   • The CCC's first goal has been to continuously improve the living condition of the chimpanzees by improving and developing the CCC chimpanzee facilities.
      
   • The CCC's second goal has been to re-socialize the chimpanzees in order to prepare them for their release. We have decided to establish the release site within the Parc National du Haut Niger (Park).
      
   • The CCC's third goal of education has been on-going through the creation of stickers and posters, as well as, broadcasted radio messages.
      
2. Project Primate, Inc. is a United States 501C (3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of chimpanzees, chiefly through the support and rehabilitation of chimpanzees who have been orphaned or otherwise taken from the wild, and through local public education. It is namely working to secure the future of the Chimpanzee Conservation Center (CCC) at an existing site in the National Park du Haut Niger, Guinea, which is currently home to 41 orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus).

• Link With Climate Change

  Open

  The main cause of extinction of chimpanzees is the destruction of their habitat. The CCC, through extensive awareness campaigns, is involved in environmental education of the people.
  The illegal logging in the Parc National du Haut Niger has an impact on local climate: dryness, shorter rainy seasons...
  If nothing is done, the forest park may disappear completely within five to ten years, which would create severe consequences for both its biodiversity and for local people.

• Objectives

  Open

  The project objectives are:

  • Gather young chimpanzees from poaching in order to release them. (First released chimpanzees in West Africa in June 2008)
  • Followed by the first group released.
  • Awareness to various environmental problems (logging, braconage and their consequences in the long term).
  • Assistance to the authorities for the protection of PNHN.

• Work plan

  Open

  To be developed

• Schedule

  Open

  To be developed

• Technical and Scientific Approach & Methods Proposed

  Open

  The CCC in partnership with Project Primates organizes throughout the year, shipments to the interior of the park to establish census wild chimpanzees, monitor the group released, and to identify future potential release sites.
  These trips are also an opportunity to identify areas of illegal logging, to meet people and establish a map of areas at risk.

• Results

  Open

  The results of these studies will offer better protection of PNHN. These field studies will also help to understand the problems of residents of the park and to find solutions both for biodiversity and for the people.

• Deliverables

  Open

  To be developed

• Use of Satellite Imagery and GIS Solutions

  Open

  To be developed

• Local Actions

  Open

  A study of populations of cats in the park and that an investigation into the illegal logging and consumption of bushmeat is currently underway.
  A second release is expected during 2010.
  An awareness campaign is planned for the month of April in the coastal villages.

• Region Name

  Open
  Parc National du Haut Niger, Faranah, Guinée

• Partners involved in project

  Open
  The funders of the CCC are/were:
  The Humane Society of the United States
  The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund
  The Arcus Foundation
  The Edith J. Goode Residuary Trust Kislak
  Foundation USAID
  SMD Lero
  The International Primate Protection League
  The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), which donated the electrical fence in 2001.
  CCC has also received individual gifts from private donors overseas, as well as SMD Lero.
  The Guinean Agriculture Ministry, through the DNEF, also contributed by paying half of the CCC's staff salaries until September 2000.
  US Fish and WildlifeDisney Fondation