Why are chimpanzees important?

Chimpanzees are considered a keystone species in their habitat. They play a vital role in seed dispersal and help maintain the balance of natural ecosystems by controlling the population of other animals.

On top of that, chimpanzees are one of the closest living relatives of humans, sharing 98% of our DNA. Studying chimpanzees in their natural habitat has helped us better understand human evolution, behavior, and psychology.

Finally, chimpanzees are sentient beings, capable of experiencing emotions such as joy, fear, and grief. We should all want to help protect their habitats and allow them to live freely and without being negatively impacted by humans.

How is BRUNA contributing to protecting wild chimpanzees together with the Jane Goodall Institute Austria?

To mark Give Back Friday 2021 and our third anniversary in September 2022, BRUNA raised €69,658 for the Jane Goodall Institute Austria (JGI Austria) with the incredible support of our community. This donation helps to protect the last wild chimpanzees, preserve their habitats, and strengthen local communities, and focuses on three specific areas of intervention:

2. MOBILE VETS & SNARE REMOVAL in Kibale National Park, Uganda

Although the animals and plants in Uganda’s Kibale National Park are strictly protected, there are still thousands of snares set by poachers. Most of them are simple wire snare traps that poachers from the surrounding area set to catch smaller forest animals such as duikers or forest pigs. Unfortunately, many other animals—including chimpanzees— are often caught and remain trapped in these snares.

The Kibale Snare Removal Project aims to combat any kind of illegal activity in the forest and reduce the number of animals endangered by snares. This involves hiring and training rangers to patrol the forest daily to disarm traps, record signs of illegal activity, and report poachers. The rangers also raise awareness of the immense value of the forest among people living in the area.

Notwithstanding the challenges caused by COVID-19, in 2021 three teams conducted 716 patrols, detecting and removing 740 snares.

3. CHIMPANZEE SANCTUARY in Ngamba Island, Uganda

The chimpanzee sanctuary on Ngamba Island in Lake Victoria is home to 52 chimpanzees. In addition to being a haven for these fascinating animals, the sanctuary raises awareness among local children and adults on the devastating consequences of wildlife hunting and habitat loss.

BRUNA’s contribution arrived at a time of difficulty for the local team, who were greatly impacted by the consequences of COVID-19 and its effects on both tourism and the ability to work.

In particular, BRUNA’s donation provided a year’s worth of medical care and protection for six chimpanzees: Baluku, Baron, Eazy, Nakuu, Nani, and Tumbo.

JGI Austria focuses on holistic conservation projects in the areas that are most responsible for the decline of endangered primates and the destruction of their habitat. Working closely with research institutions and local communities, JGI Austria aims to promote a respectful and sustainable relationship among people, animals, and the environment.

“We are not asking for charity to help save the wildlife—and ultimately the people—of African forests. We are asking for a collective investment in the future and in a legacy that we can be proud of. We do not have much time left. We must act now.”– Dr. Jane Goodall

Protecting the last wild chimpanzees is a critical part of preserving our planet's biodiversity and ensuring a healthy ecosystem for future generations. By taking small steps in our daily lives we can all contribute to the survival of these amazing animals. Let's work together to protect the last wild chimpanzees and keep their habitats alive and healthy!