The Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro (CRPL) Project
Helping Congo's Primates

About This Sanctuary:

Located in the South Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro (CRPL) launched in 2002 and is a crucial resource for the protection and rehabilitation of the country’s primates.

CRPL provides desperately needed care and housing for primates displaced or orphaned by the illegal forest activities of DRC.

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In this politically tense region, CRPL not only serves to help primates but is dedicated to working with the community in developing collaborative programs, providing education and creating an environment in which endangered wildlife and humans can successfully coexist.

CRPL currently houses 48 chimpanzees and 62 monkeys of 10 different species. Every animal has reached the sanctuary because, in some way, they have been caught up in the illegal trade of DRC. The pet trade, bush meat trade and the most devastating, illegal mining for coltan, gold and diamonds are just some of the ways these animals reach the sanctuary.

The monkey species held at CRPL include the Yellow Baboon, Olive Baboon, Grey cheeked Mangabey, Vervet Monkey, L’Hoest’s Monkey, Owl-faced Monkey, Dent’s Monkey, Mona Monkey, Gentle Monkey (Mitis) and Red-tailed Monkey.

The Problem:

Unfortunately as with so many sanctuaries a lack of income means substandard living conditions for the animals. Small enclosures with no room for the primates to exhibit natural behaviour leads to profound boredom and can have a devastating impact on the mental state of these clever animals.

CRPL rely on fundraising and support from people who simply care enough to donate and help improve the conditions for these highly intelligent animals, who surely deserve better.

Every day running costs alone amount to over US $6000 per month, this leaves very little to go towards improving the living conditions of the sanctuary’s inhabitants.

The Solution:

Stage One - Chimpanzee habitat for conservation and education

CRPL has recently constructed a large dormitory with 6 dens, but now needs to fence 3 hectares of adjoining forest to give 50 chimpanzees a natural environment to roam.

1. Dormitory (COMPLETE) - to house up to 50 chimpanzees in the evening.
2. Stage one (CURRENT PROJECT) - 3 hectare forest enclosure to hold up to 50 chimpanzees (more if necessary).

• Foundations - complete
• Fence posts - complete
• Metallic mesh - current step
• Metallic overhang - next
• Electric system - already funded, not installed yet
• Water system - $6000 - not yet funded
• Security fencing - $22,000 - not yet funded

There is still $25,000 to raise for this project, not including the security fence and water system
This is a significant but necessary project for the sanctuary to embark upon and will unfortunately, due to the lack of funding take many years to complete.

Save The Primates is committed to helping this project become a reality as quickly as possible but it can’t happen without a great deal of support.

Save The Primates is the only website where 100% of fundraising goes directly back to the project. Any amount makes a difference and helps in our goal to improve their quality of life of the primates.   

There are two ways you can donate

• One-off donation -
  Any amount, as it all helps.
   
• Automatic Monthly Donations for 1 year -
  For only AU$20 per month, automatically debited from your credit card.