Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center

Giving day for Apes 2025

What do we do? 

Rescue

Chimpanzees are tragically targeted by poachers for the illegal pet trade and bushmeat. We rescue survivors—whether infants newly captured or adults who have endured years in chains—giving them a chance at a new life despite their physical and emotional scars.

Rehabilitate 

At the Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center (LPRC), our caregivers and veterinarians provide round-the-clock care despite the immense challenges of war. Nutritious food, medical attention, and the safety of forested enclosures allow each chimpanzee to heal and thrive.

Release 

Our greatest dream is to release as many chimpanzees as possible into the wild, where they belong. Until that day comes, we ensure they develop the skills needed to thrive in the forest.

Refuge 

Many of our chimpanzees will never be able to return to the wild due to injuries or trauma. For them, we provide lifelong sanctuary—a safe, loving refuge where they can live with dignity, surrounded by others of their kind.

Where are we?

We are in Lwiro, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the most dangerous regions in the world today. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is home to approximately 90% of the world's eastern chimpanzees, but this population has declined by 40% since the mid-1990s.

Today, war and mining not only affect human lives but also accelerate the destruction of forests. In every armed conflict, wildlife is the silent victim, and sanctuaries like Lwiro are needed more than ever.

Who are we?

For more than 20 years, the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center has been a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees. Today, we care for 130 chimpanzees and more than 100 monkeys, the largest sanctuary of its kind in the country.

Our team of 60 Congolese employees has demonstrated extraordinary courage: no one has left, despite the dangers of war. They continue to provide loving and professional care daily, ensuring the animals receive the safety, respect, and dignity they deserve.

Where does your donation go? 

Every donation is vital. It directly funds the chimpanzees' feeding, urgent veterinary treatment, and the maintenance of the enclosures that keep them safe.

But this year, your donation means even more. In times of war, it's not just about daily care; it's about survival. It's about keeping trucks fueled to transport food when supply routes are disrupted. It's about ensuring staff can safely remain at the sanctuary. And it's about protecting wildlife that has no voice in human conflict.

By donating, you stand up for the silent victims of war and create a future where compassion is stronger than violence.

How You Can Help

❤ Our dream in 2025 is to reach 1,000 supporters standing with us on Giving Day for Apes. ❤

Become an ambassador by inviting two friends to donate. Every contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference.

In a year when so much has been lost, you can help us protect what must never be lost: the hope, compassion, and lives of these chimpanzees.

Thank you for your support.