Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center

$100 raised by 1 donor

0% complete

$50,000 Goal

CONFLICT DOESN’T STOP THEIR NEEDS

No matter how difficult the situation becomes, every morning our team shows up.

Every single day. For them.

Because they are counting on us

Despite the enormous challenges surrounding Lwiro, from the ongoing armed conflict to disease outbreaks such as Ebola, one thing has never stopped: our animals continued to receive the care they need, every single day.

For more than 20 years, Lwiro has provided a safe haven for primates rescued from the illegal wildlife trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, the situation around us remains difficult. But inside the sanctuary, life continues. Every day, our dedicated local team is there feeding, caring and protecting more than 225 primates who depend on us.

They lost their families.

They lost their forests.

They lost their freedom.

But they don't have to lose their future.

At Lwiro, we give rescued primates more than a safe place. We give them lifelong care, protection and the opportunity of a second chance in life.

What do we do?

Rescue

Chimpanzees are tragically targeted by poachers for the illegal pet trade and bushmeat. We rescue the ones who are lucky to survive, whether infants newly poached or adults who have endured years in chains, giving them a chance at a new life despite their forever physical and emotional scars.

Rehabilitate

At Lwiro, our animal carers and veterinarians provide a 24/7 care despite the immense challenges of war. Nutritious food, medical attention, specialised care, and the safety of forested enclosures allow each rescued chimpanzee to heal and thrive.

Haven

Many of our chimpanzees will never be able to return to the wild due to injuries or trauma. At Lwiro, we provide lifelong haven, where they can live safely, with dignity, as part of a chimpanzee family.

Today, war and mining are not only devastating human lives; they are also accelerating the destruction of the forests that wildlife depends on. In every armed conflict, wildlife is the silent victim, and sanctuaries like Lwiro are needed more than ever.

What is different about Lwiro?

Our sanctuary stands in one of the most dangerous regions in the world, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and just 4 km away from one of the most important conservation areas for the eastern chimpanzee, the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Our country is home to approximately 90% of the eastern chimpanzee total population, sadly it has declined by 40% in the last 30 years. For more than 20 years, Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre has been a safe haven for orphaned chimpanzees. Today, we care for 130 chimpanzees, and 97 monkeys, the largest sanctuary of its kind in the whole country. Our team of 60 Congolese workers has demonstrated extraordinary courage: no one has left, despite the dangers of war.

Where does your donation go?

Every donation is vital. Your support funds food, veterinary care, and the maintenance of the enclosures to keep them safe. But this year, your donation means even more. In times of war, it is not just about daily care, it is about survival. It is about keeping trucks fueled to transport food when supply routes are disrupted. It is about ensuring staff can safely remain at the sanctuary. It is about protecting wildlife that has no voice in human conflict. By donating, you stand up for the silent victims of war and the dedicated people that protect them.