Chimpanzee Conservation | 15 Jan 2025

Source: TH

NGO Papaye International in Cameroon has been in the news, which operates a sanctuary for orphaned chimpanzees in the Douala-Edea National Park.

About Chimpanzee: Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ssp.) are one of our nearest living relatives, sharing a common ancestor with humans that lived approximately 7-8 million years ago.
- Subspecies: Four recognized subspecies: Central chimpanzee, Western chimpanzee, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, and Eastern chimpanzee.
IUCN Status: Chimpanzees listed as endangered, with Western chimpanzees classified as Critically Endangered.
Cultural Diversity: Chimpanzees exhibit culturally learned behaviors, including tool use, vocal dialects, and feeding techniques, varying by subspecies.
- They live in highly structured social groups, often consisting of 20 to 150 members, showcasing complex communication and behaviors.
- Examples of tool use by Chimpanzees include termite fishing, harvest honey and nut cracking, with variations in tools and techniques across populations.
Feeding Habits: Chimpanzees have diverse diets, such as mangrove leaves and cave use, particularly in dry environments.

Habitat destruction and hunting threaten genetic and cultural diversity, making conservation efforts crucial.

About Cameroon:
- It is located in Central Africa, bordered by Nigeria, Chad, the Central African Republic, Congo, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
  - It features diverse geography, including coastal plains, mountains, and rainforests.