Page 84 - World of Animals - Issue #28 Magazine

Conserving the chimpanzee

Tackling the chimpanzee challenge chimps are one of the most ecologically, economically and culturally important species
on our planet. Chimps are integral to maintaining biodiversity in Africa.
Donald Gow is the team leader for the Budongo Conservation Field Station, one
of Africa’s leading conservation projects, run by Edinburgh Zoo
What do you do to help?
Why do you think chimpanzees are so endearing? The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is celebrating ten years as the core
Chimpanzees are our nearest cousins, sharing over 95 per cent identical funder of the Budongo Conservation Field Station (BCFS) in Uganda. One of Africa’s
DNA. Like us, chimps have a long childhood and maternal and sibling leading conservation projects and a world-leading centre for primate research, BCFS
bonds can persist through life. There are also close parallels between is also this year celebrating its 25th anniversary. BCFS is a unique conservation
chimpanzee and human infants – their appetite for play, learning through success story, which brings together scientists from all over the world, local people
observation and imitation, their need for reassurance and attention. Chimpanzees can and a community of nearly 700 chimpanzees. The station combines cutting-edge
also display a wide range of emotions like happiness and empathy and possess an research with practical action on the ground, all underpinned by local community
almost human-like enjoyment of physical contact, laughter and community. Chimp involvement. A holistic approach, the project provides alternative livelihoods, conducts
non-verbal communication – hugging, patting, touching and aggressive behaviour – forest edge planting research and works with local schools. And it remains to this day
also appear in similar contexts to which they are seen in humans. one of the very few places in the world where wild chimpanzees are observed at close
quarters in the wild.
What are the major threats they face?
Threats differ from country to country, but one of the main threats is bushmeat Do you think they can be saved for the future?
snares, set for smaller forest animals, accidentally injuring and harming chimps. The Conservation work can be an uphill struggle and the odds can seem overwhelmingly
species is also specifically targeted by poachers in some countries for the bushmeat stacked against a species. However, there are many dedicated people and
trade. Habitat loss, encroachment and forest fragmentation are significant threats to organisations who are wholly committed to changing that. RZSS is one of those
chimpanzees as there are ever-increasing demands for land from the rapidly growing organisations and, whether it be through our ex-situ work with our chimp group
human populations – Africa currently has one of the highest human growth rates in at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and our close cooperation with zoo colleagues throughout
the world. The pet trade, which involves the capture of infants and usually results in Europe, or in-situ work with chimps in Africa, we have the opportunity to really make a
the death of their mothers and other group members, is also a threat, as are infectious difference for this species. In the face of so many challenges there are success stories
diseases being spread from human to chimp populations – for example, Ebola is the too, such as the formation of protected national parks, rehabilitation and release
main issue in some areas currently. programs and the halting of hunting in particular areas.
If chimpanzees were to become extinct, what would be the ecological impacts? How can ordinary people get involved?
Staggeringly, only 15 years ago, two million chimps lived in the forests of 25 separate RZSS is a conservation charity and receives no government funding. Instead we rely
African countries; today only five countries have significant populations and chimps on money generated through our two visitor attractions – RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and
have totally disappeared from some countries. The total number of chimpanzees in RZSS Highland Wildlife Park – combined with fundraising activities, in order to connect
the wild is most recently estimated to be between 172,700 and 299,700; however there people to nature and safeguard species from extinction. Our achievements, including © Nature PL; Alamy; Donald Gow
is a lack of survey data in many regions. There are four subspecies and a wide range our work with chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest, are down to the generosity of
of behavioural differences exist between groups from different regions, so the loss of supporters just like you. Please consider a donation towards protecting endangered
any one group represents a loss of cultural and biological heritage. A priority species, species and their habitats by visiting www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/support-us.

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