On the Brink
Chimpanzees in the wild are on the brink of extinction. One hundred years ago, chimps living across West and Central Africa numbered around one million. Today their total number is fewer than 150,000.

There are many reasons for this, and most are human-related. Logging companies have destroyed chimpanzee habitats at an alarming rate.

Equally important is the “bushmeat trade” - the killing and selling of chimpanzees for human consumption. The two causes are closely linked.

Loggers build roads into pristine forests, providing easy access to chimpanzee habitats. Hunters then go in and kill adult chimpanzees in order to sell their meat at city markets. Such trade is fuelled not by starving people, but by greed.

The Need for Sanctuaries
African countries such as Congo-Brazzaville (map) have worked with conservationists to protect chimpanzees - our closest living relatives - but poachers across Africa continue to kill as many as 5,000 chimpanzees a year.

When mothers are killed, their infants - often traumatized by the brutality they witnessed - are captured and sold illegally into the pet trade and for entertainment uses. A lucky few are rescued but without their mothers, infant chimpanzees cannot be returned to the wild. They need protection and constant human care for the rest of their lives.

In these sanctuaries, the orphans are nursed back to health, receive proper nutrition and learn to live in social groups which are essential for their survival, development and well-being. (pics)

The sanctuaries also provide jobs for local communities and a place for children to learn first hand the plight of chimpanzees and the need for proper stewardship of our environment.

The largest of these sanctuaries is Tchimpounga, located in the Republic of Congo. It currently houses 115 chimpanzees that have come from all across the region.

As more orphans continue to arrive, the sanctuary has been stretched beyond its capacity.

The Jane Goodall Institute needs GlobalTribe's help in expanding the facilities at Tchimpounga in order to care for increasing numbers of orphan chimps. By raising US$60,000, GlobalTribe members can help JGI build a new chimpanzee nursery, a new well, and water pipes to distribute the water.

• New nursery (dormitory) = $30,000
• New well = $20,000
• Water pipes = $10,000

Depending on the amount raised, the funds could also go toward care and shelter of chimpanzees, which costs $4,000 a year per chimp.

1. Learn more about the bushmeat trade and chimpanzees in this campaign's Gallery, Downloads, and Links sections.
2. Learn more by visiting the Resources section and submit links from your own research.
3. Produce art, presentations, writings, photo essays, music, and video to raise awareness of this issue.
4. Raise funds and submit them through the Donate section.
5. Discuss this issue with other GlobalTribe members on the Message Board.