Republic of the Congo

Congo is one of the most densly forested countries in Africa.  There are estimated to be around 10,000 chimpanzees in the Republic of Congo.  Great apes in the country are threatened by human conflict, logging, the spread of disease, and hunting for the commercial, illegal bushmeat trade. 

In the country, JGI's chimpanzee sanctuary cares for chimpanzee orphans of the commerical, illegal bushmeat trade.  JGI has worked to increase the area of protected habitat for chimpanzees and create comprehensive management plans for protected areas.  JGI also improves local ability to enforce rules protecting these areas and raises awareness within local communities about the importance of great apes and wildlife laws.