Great apes

It is a scientifically demonstrated fact that chimpanzees have a well-developed self-awareness. They are for instance able:

• To recognize themselves in a mirror
• To use numbers and to count
• To use tools
• To stand up
• To share food
• To pass on knowledge
• To carry on a conversation

Situation in Africa

Since the 1960s when the famous primatologist Jane Goodall settled in Africa to study chimps, the great ape populations have tragically decreased. In spite of the field work of many scientists, it has been assessed that the entire wild great ape population will disappear in the next 20 years. All the great ape species were classified on the IUCN red list of endangered species in 1975. The trade in great apes is now controlled. In Cameroon, poaching and sale of bushmeat are forbidden. However, the isolation of populations, the chronic poverty and the overexploitation of natural resources threaten the remaining chimpanzee populations. Also, chimps are often affected by human diseases like Ebola virus.
Many chimpanzee mothers are currently killed in order to sale the infants on pet markets. Expatriate Western families are the main buyers on those markets.
The re-introduction of ex-captive chimps into their wild environment is particularly difficult because of the ongoing habitat degradation and loss. It is attempting the impossible to find free and safe areas to re-introduce chimps. In addition, chimp infants that were kept by humans did not take a chimpanzee education. As a result, close contacts between humans and chimps may induce problems related to the over-habituation of animals.