Some areas of the Zoo are CLOSED to allow us to prepare for our Halloween events. ... read more
Until 3rd November, there will be restricted access at Bears of the Rising Sun (lower viewing) and our Elephant Bushwalk will be closed.
From 14th October 2024, our Woodland Hollow will be closed.
Supporting since 2013
Location
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Support started
2013
Species
African apes and monkeys
Mission
Work to provide the best possible care for orphaned primates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, while working to ensure their protection in the wild.
Donations:
Donations go towards the purchase of food to feed the apes and monkeys at the LWIRO sanctuary.
2024 – 2025:
£4,973.34 donated this year.
Background
The Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (PNKB), a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Danger, is seriously affected by degradation, along with harvesting by the local populations who, for reasons of survival, have depended more on natural resources in protected areas and their surrounding forests. It is estimated that the DRC contains 93% of the population of Eastern Chimpanzee, making it the most important country for the conservation of this sub-species.
The Centre de Rehabilitation des Primates de Lwiro (CRPL) is a Pan African Sanctuary Alliance accredited primate sanctuary for chimpanzees and monkeys, located just outside the border of Parc National de Kahuzi Biega (PNKB). As the only sanctuary in the region, they play a crucial role in supporting conservation measures in the Parc and the eastern DRC; caring for confiscated wildlife and working to stop the illegal animal trade in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
CRPL are also supporting the local community by injecting more than $4000 per month into the community, by purchasing food for all their animals and workers from local markets, and by providing long-term job positions for local workers.
Achievements and Objectives
LWIRO is the only chimpanzee and monkey sanctuary currently accepting all kinds of confiscated wildlife in DRC, thus acts as a crucial resource for all conservation organisations working in the country. In 2023, 12 chimpanzees were confiscated and brought to LWIRO, one more than 2022, and 6 monkeys were rescued. At the end of 2023, CRPL housed 129 chimpanzees and 111 monkeys of 14 different species.
Currently 55 Congolese workers are assigned full-time to CRPL. The short term goal is to ensure the welfare of the primates in the centre’s care and to increase the holding capacity of the sanctuary for future government confiscations. The ultimate goal is to see the release of all able-bodied animals back into the wild. The project will also work towards a continuous reduction in the number of primates being killed, therefore reducing the number of new arrivals to CRPL, and ensuring local wild populations remain stable through habitat protection and improved attitudes toward their protective status through education and public awareness campaigns.
