The Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation in Cameroon since it was founded in 1993 through a partnership between Pandrillus and Cameroon’s Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF).Feeding time for our drill troop - one of the many species in our care.
Based in the Limbe Zoological Garden, we rescue and rehabilitate wildlife affected by the illegal bushmeat and pet trade - caring for nearly 400 animals, including 35 chimpanzees, 14 gorillas, and dozens of monkeys, drills, mandrills, parrots, crocodiles and other reptiles.
Through rescue, rehabilitation and education, we give confiscated and orphaned wildlife a second chance, and work to inspire the next generation of conservationists in Cameroon. A founding member of the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), LWC is now a leading conservation and animal welfare organisation.
Our mission is to conserve Cameroonian wildlife by rescuing and rehabilitating victims of the illegal trade, inspiring people to connect with nature, and supporting local communities.
Help Us Rebuild After the Floods
This year, our Giving Day for Apes appeal is about rebuilding as well as crucial care and nutrition for our animals.
The flood at its height, 5 August 2026, showing a section of perimeter wall destroyed
In August, flooding broke through our perimeter wall right at our chimpanzee island. We've costed the phase 1 priority repairs at US$ 24,650, and we're asking our community to help fund this on Giving Day for Apes.
Chimpanzee & Guenon Island under flood-water
Read the full story and please help us:
Animals we care for
Benito: LWC's gentle giant
Benito is one of our longest-serving residents: he arrived at the Limbe Wildlife Centre on 17 September 1996 - thirty years ago! - after a hunter brought him to a logging company, Alpicam, who then donated him and a female gorilla, Emma, to LWC. He was around five months old. Our keepers know him as "the peacemaker" - in three decades, he's never been known to attack another gorilla - and as a baby he'd cry and whimper whenever his keeper stepped away. Now a fully grown silverback and leader of our Jumbo/Adjibolo group, he's kept that same gentle character. This year he came down with a respiratory infection; our vet team treated him and, over the following weeks, watched him make a full recovery, regaining all his usual activity and standing back at the head of his group.
Benito eating fresh aframomum
Benito nest-building with dried aframomum
Pitchou: an update
Pitchou, the Western lowland gorilla, was just a baby when hunters killed her mother and tried to sell her to tourists at a hotel in Kribi. Fortunately, this trade was intercepted and afterwards she was brought to LWC frightened and alone with open wounds.
Long-time supporters may remember Pitchou, the gorilla who suffers from epilepsy and needs daily medication to live comfortably. The good news: her treatment is working. Through May, June and July this year, she had zero seizure episodes on her current regimen of Phenobarbitone and Gabapentin - medication that's expensive and hard to source in Cameroon, but makes all the difference to her quality of life. She still lives with her companion Emma, and continued support keeps her medication coming.
PitchouHow You Can Help
Your contribution directly impacts their daily needs, including:
With your help, we can provide a #SecondChance for victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
Every dollar matters! Here’s how your donations make a difference..
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$10 Weekly food supply for one Gorilla resident |
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| $60 Concrete termite mound for an Ape enclosure |
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| $100 Fund the cost of a rescue operation |
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| $250 Medical health checks and supplies |
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| $350 Nesting hammock for an Ape enclosure |
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| $500 Enclosure maintenance and expansion |
Jack and Taweh enjoying their reward for foraging! |
Help us build new termite mounds for our chimps!
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To say thank you, all donors who donated $100 and up will get a free one year sponsorship of any of our rescued primates!
Together, we can make a lasting impact. Thank you for your continued support!
Organization name
Limbe Wildlife Centre
Continent
Africa
Apes Categories
Chimpanzees, Gorillas
Small Budget Organizations
Small Budget Organizations
Address
PO Box 10082 Pandrillus Foundation (USA)