READ MORE ABOUT WSPA-FUNDED SANCTUARIES

"If it weren't for WSPA, who knows where we would be. I'm just glad they are here again to help us."
Claudine Andre, founder of ABC.

WSPA's team in Africa is racing to help save the bonobos, an extremely rare species of ape that is being decimated by the hunters who capture them and sell them for meat- it's called 'bushmeat' and it's a deadly trade.

The statistics are simply shocking. In 1990, an estimated 100,000 bonobos (similar to chimps) were roaming the inner jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1980, less than 10,000 remained and today their numbers are thought to be lower still.

“We're talking about a species of animal that is more than 98% genetically similar to humans,” explains WSPA USA Director Laura Salter. “They are among our closest brothers in the animal world, yet experts fear that within the next twenty years, these incredible animals will no longer wander the forests of Africa.”

Sanctuaries alone will not save this great ape species from the massacre underway, but they are a part of the solution. Today we ask you to take the first step by making a donation that will help wildlife sanctuaries to save animals who would otherwise perish. Too many baby bonobos are turning up near death after being kidnapped from the forest and stuffed inside of a suitcase. While WSPA and others continue to formulate a multi-platform approach to protecting African wildlife, we ask for your help today in assisting the special sanctuaries who care for animals who have no other hope.

Your gift today can provide:

• Emergency veterinary supplies to perform surgeries and assist with transferring bonobos to the sanctuary 
• Cost of sending experienced, knowledgeable staff on-site to ensure the safety and well-being of these rare animals 
• Our ongoing work to uncover poachers that are killing bonobos and other wild animals for bushmeat