Save The Primates

Creating Awareness & Support for Endangered Primates

Save The Primates is an Australian non-profit association dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of endangered primate species such as apes, gorillas, chimps, many of which are close to extinction, and helps raise funds for specific projects and campaigns dedicated to primate conservation and primate protection within a select group of primate sanctuaries around the world. We focus specifically on raising funds for primate sanctuary projects that the wildlife sanctuaries themselves have no way of funding. Although able to meet the day to day expenses, projects such as new primate enclosures, education centres and programs and sometimes even animal rescues are all but a dream for those that run the sanctuaries. Whilst we offer plenty of other primate information on this site, we ask that you read about the project we are currently supporting, The Chimfunshi Project, and help by making a donation. 100% of funds raised go directly back to the project, as all costs are met by Save The Primates.                     Chimfunshi Project   Outdoor Chimp Enclosures Unfortunately, there is always a group of chimpanzees at Chimfunshi Sanctuary whom, no matter how high the electric fence is, simply view a few shocks as a short term inconvenience and consistently scale the perimeter fence and escape. Because of this and a significant lack of funding to build escape proof enclosures, these beautiful animals reside in small indoor compounds. Chimfunshi have plans to build a fully enclosed outdoor enclosure so that these cheeky chimps can have the quality of life they deserve, but they need financial support.  Find out more, and Aid The Chimfunshi Project   MAKE A DIFFERENCE Pick a figure any figure, to donate. Every little bit helps!   STAY INFORMED Yes! Add me to your email list to receive the quarterly newsletter.

urgent help required CHIMFUNSHI NEEDS FUNDS URGENTLY Although Save The Primates has been established to fund specific sanctuary projects, we have received an urgent SOS from the Chimfunshi Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the home to over 110 rescued chimpanzees and we would so very much appreciate your support in helping the sanctuary get through this funding crisis to ensure the survival of this amazing place. If we allow sanctuaries like this to collapse then there really is little hope for the future of not only these chimpanzees but for the species. The Costs of caring for the chimpanzees at Chimfunshi amount to over 108,000,000 Kwacha (approx US 30,000) per month. The Trustees now face a financial crisis that threatens the well being of the chimpanzees and survival of Chimfunshi. The most pressing expenses are: Purchase of fruit and vegetables from neighbouring villagers. In this manner, the Trust inject K120,000,000 per annum (approximately USD33,000) into an economically depressed area of Zambia. Purchase of mealie-meal and other food supplements for the chimpanzees – including 100 litres per day of fresh milk as the protein substitute in the diet of these omnivores. Fuel and repairs for the Trust vehicles – 75kms from Chingola, the round trip of 150kms is undertaken twice weekly to collect fresh food for the chimps. The vehicles (a 4-tonne Cantor and a landcruiser) both require a major overhaul. Sponsorship to bring under-privileged school groups to the Education Centre. This is an appeal for immediate help. Any assistance, however large or small will be so GRATEFULLY received. HOW TO DONATE Donations can be made through our donations page, or else directly to Chimfunshi Sanctuary , or mailed to P.O Box 11190, Chingola, Zambia. Cheques should be made out to CHIMFUNSHI WILDLIFE ORPHANAGE TRUST.

The Plight of the Primates - At Risk of Extinction

Primates are being driven to extinction through poaching, murder, exploitation and deforestation!  At the start of the 20th century there was thought to be between 1-2 million chimpanzees. In 1960 there was thought to be close to 1 million. Today there is thought to be only around 150,000 chimpanzees remaining!

No thought has been given to the rights of these animals, or toward their natural habitat, and no compassion for the suffering caused by human activities.

• Bushmeat Trade
  Unsustainable commercial & illegal bushmeat trade is threatening extinction of apes, chimpanzees and other primates. Killed for food & body parts, or sold on the exotic pet market, they are also losing their habitat through logging and commercial development. Many primates are now extinct and more are under threat of extinction within the next 15 to 20 years.  READ MORE ...
  
  
• Wildlife Trade
  Each year millions of animals, including primates, die as a result of the wildlife trade. A WCS report estimates the global industry is worth $6 billion per year. This figure is second only to drugs as a world wide black-market, according to Interpol.  READ MORE...
  
  
  
• Scientific Animal Experimentation On Primates
  We deplore the use and breeding of primates for scientific research. Annually, over 115,000,000 animals globally (20,000 in the USA alone) primates, are subjected to animal experiments in the name of "medical research". Studies confirm that nearly 2/3 of these experiments have absolutely nothing to do with advancing human medicine or curing human diseases.   READ MORE...
  
  
  

Lack of Public Awareness on the Plight of Primates
Our news stories do not tell enough of the difficulties being faced by the world’s animal population.  With such a lack of awareness in the general community about the plight of the primates and their habitats, each day more animals face extinction.
View list of PASA primate sanctuaries. Find out what their issues and needs are, and how you can be of service.

Save The Primates has now decided that it is time to give a little back
to the innocent primates subjected to human greed and cruelty. 

By visiting this site, we assume that you too are interested in primates.
By making a simple donation, you will assist Save The Primates
work on behalf of endangered and suffering primates.

Thank you and enjoy your visit.
Sara Tilling and Gary Henderson
Save The Primates, Australia

Our Mission

Save The Primates mission is to create awareness of the
impending extinction in the wild of many primate species
and to contribute to an improved quality
of life for those that have been displaced by human behaviour.

Who are we?

We are simply two people who want to try and help the primates in
this world. Our inspiration for Save The Primates, a non-profit organisation
based in Australia, came from a visit to Chimfunshi chimpanzee sanctuary
in Zambia run by Sylvia and Sheila Siddle.

This sanctuary, started by Sheila in 1983, consists of over 100 hectares of
free-ranging chimpanzee enclosures, and is home to 115 chimpanzees.
The dedication and selflessness of Sylvia and Sheila Siddle is
something that will never be forgotten.

A human being is part of the whole,
called by us "Universe," a part limited in time and space.
He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings
as something separated from the rest
- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.
This delusion is a kind of prison for us,
restricting us to our personal desires and
to affection for a few persons nearest to us.
Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison
by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures
and the whole of nature in its beauty.
~ Albert Einstein, 1950 ~

This will only take a minute...

Aside from donating to Save The Primates, there are things you can do right this minute - from your armchair - and it will only take a minute of your time.   Sign the petitions below to help other organisations protect and support chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and other primates from animal experiments and the illegal exotic pet trade. 

Animal Aid Every year, thousands of monkeys are used in cruel and senseless experiments. Animal Aid is supporting the fight agains animal experiments.  You can join the fight too and help end cruel experiments on primates. Sign the petition to End Primate Experiments in Europe Care2.com Help protect chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos, and other endangered primates supported by the Jane Goodall Institute. Join Care2.com's Race for the Primates Wildlife Conservation Society The Primate Pet trade is bigger than ever, and involves cruelty and isolatioin for primates.. While these animals may seem cute and compatible with human lifestyle, the health and safety risks posed to both primates and owners are considerable. Help End the Harmful Primate Pet Trade Petition