Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center

Giving day for Apes 2025

Wildlife has no voice in human conflict. Together, we can protect them.

Even in the midst of conflict in eastern DRC, our entire team has remained by the side of 130 orphaned chimpanzees. Your support is our lifeline.

The war in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is fueled by the struggle for minerals, leaving people and wildlife caught in the crossfire. As communities face displacement and violence, forests are destroyed, hunting intensifies, and chimpanzees—already endangered—become the silent victims of armed conflict.

Through all of this, one thing has never changed: our promise to the chimpanzees who already depend on us.

"If you care about the individual, you end up saving the species."

What 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 ultimate dream is to release as many chimpanzees as possible back into the wild, where they belong. Until that day comes, we ensure they develop the skills they need 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 we are?

We are in Lwiro, eastern DRC—one of the most dangerous regions in the world right now. The DRC is home to about 90% of the world’s eastern chimpanzees, but this population has dropped by 40% since the mid-1990s.

Today, war and mineral exploitation are not only affecting human lives—they are also accelerating the destruction of forests and pushing chimpanzees closer to extinction. In every armed conflict, wildlife is the silent victim, and sanctuaries like Lwiro are more needed than ever.

Who we are?

For over 20 years, Lwiro Primates 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 staff members has shown extraordinary courage: not one person has left, despite the dangers of war. They continue to provide loving, professional care every single day, ensuring the animals receive the safety, respect, and dignity they deserve.

Where does your donation go? 

Every single donation is a lifeline. It directly funds food for the chimpanzees, urgent veterinary treatment, and the upkeep of the enclosures that keep them safe.

But this year, your gift 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 bring food when supply routes are cut off. It’s about making sure staff can safely stay at the sanctuary. And it’s about protecting wildlife that has no voice in human conflict.

When you give, 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 asking 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: hope, compassion, and the lives of these chimpanzees.

Thank you for standing with us.