Western Chimpanzee

The Western chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes verus) is the most endangered subspecies of chimpanzee, found in West Africa across countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali. Its population has declined by more than 80% in the past 25 years due to deforestation, hunting, mining, and human–wildlife conflict. Conservation projects focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching, community engagement, and research-based management.

Key Projects Protecting the Western Chimpanzee

1. Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) – West Africa Conservation Program

  • The Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) is the leading organization dedicated to conserving western chimpanzees across their range.
  • Operates in Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
  • Major initiatives include:
    • Establishing and managing protected areas, such as Taï National Park (Côte d’Ivoire) and Grebo-Krahn National Park (Liberia).
    • Community-based forest management programs that promote sustainable livelihoods.
    • Anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement training.
    • Environmental education through the “Club Pan” program in schools.
    • Research and monitoring using camera traps and acoustic sensors.
  • Works closely with national park authorities, UNESCO, and local communities.

2. Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) – West Africa Programs

  • Implements long-term conservation and community programs in Guinea, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.
  • Focuses on:
    • Habitat restoration and corridor creationto connect fragmented chimpanzee populations.
    • Community-centered conservationthrough the TACARE model, integrating education, health, and sustainable agriculture.
    • Chimpanzee sanctuary support, such as Tchimpounga and Tacugama.
    • Research on behavioral ecology and genetic diversity.
  • Partners with local governments, UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, and international NGOs.

3. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary (Sierra Leone)

  • Founded in 1995 near Freetown, Tacugama is both a rescue center and a conservation hub.
  • Rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees from the illegal pet trade.
  • Leads community outreach, reforestation, and eco-tourism programs.
  • Coordinates the National Chimpanzee Census Project, which provided the first comprehensive population estimate for Sierra Leone.
  • Works with the Sierra Leone National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and UNESCO to manage the Western Area Peninsula National Park.

4. Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee (PanAf) – Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology

  • A continent-wide research initiative studying behavioral and cultural diversity among wild chimpanzees.
  • Includes multiple sites in West Africa, such as Taï National Park (Côte d’Ivoire) and Nimba Mountains (Guinea).
  • Uses non-invasive data collection (camera traps, fecal DNA, and acoustic recordings) to understand how environment and culture shape chimpanzee behavior.
  • Provides critical data for IUCN conservation planning and protected area management.

5. UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Taï and Mount Nimba

  • Taï National Park (Côte d’Ivoire) and the Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (Guinea/Côte d’Ivoire) are UNESCO World Heritage Sites that protect key western chimpanzee populations.
  • Projects focus on:
    • Anti-poaching patrols and law enforcement training.
    • Habitat monitoring using satellite imagery.
    • Community engagement to reduce hunting pressure.
    • Transboundary cooperation between Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Supported by UNESCO, WCF, and national park authorities.

6. Conservation International (CI) – Upper Guinea Forest Initiative

  • Works to conserve the Upper Guinea Forest, one of the most biodiverse and threatened ecosystems in West Africa.
  • Protects chimpanzee habitat across Liberia, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
  • Supports community forest governance, sustainable agriculture, and ecotourism.
  • Collaborates with WCF, Forests Guinea, and local NGOs to integrate biodiversity conservation with rural development.

7. Fauna & Flora International (FFI) – Liberia and Guinea Programs

  • Implements community-based forest management in regions such as Wonegizi, Wologizi, and Ziama.
  • Promotes sustainable livelihoods(beekeeping, agroforestry) to reduce reliance on hunting.
  • Conducts chimpanzee population surveysand habitat mapping.
  • Works with Liberia Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and Guinea’s Ministry of Environment to strengthen protected area networks.

8. IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group – Action Plan for Western Chimpanzees (2020–2030)

  • Provides a strategic framework for conserving western chimpanzees across their range.
  • Priorities include:
    • Reducing habitat loss through land-use planning and forest corridor protection.
    • Strengthening law enforcement against bushmeat trade.
    • Promoting coexistence between humans and chimpanzees in agricultural landscapes.
    • Improving data collection and regional coordination among governments and NGOs.
  • Supported by WCF, JGI, FFI, and national wildlife authorities.

Supporting Organizations

  • Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF)
  • Jane Goodall Institute (JGI)
  • Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary
  • Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (PanAf)
  • UNESCO World Heritage Centre
  • Conservation International (CI)
  • Fauna & Flora International (FFI)
  • IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group
  • National park authorities of Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone

The Broader Mission
Conservation of the Western chimpanzee relies on a combination of protected area management, community-led conservation, and scientific research. Projects led by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation, Jane Goodall Institute, and Tacugama Sanctuary are central to protecting remaining populations. Regional collaboration under the IUCN Action Plan and UNESCO World Heritage programs provides a unified framework to secure the species’ future across West Africa’s rapidly changing landscapes.