Tanzania had, a few years ago, about 10000 chimpanzees in the wild. In Gombe, primatologist Jane Goodall began his research work with chimpanzees and showed to the world their ability to make tools as humans. Gombe, which has been declared National Park for the preservation of its primates’ population, today has less than 100 chimpanzees in the wild. MahaleNational Park has other 600.

Tanzania hosts a subspecies of chimpanzee, known as east or oriental chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii), which is in imminent threat of extinction. Just like the black rhinos, which also live in these forests and face the situation of very few individuals.

Director of Tanzania National Parks, Gerald Bigurube, did an alert asking for the protection of the species that still survive. He asked for protection against hunting and poachers caught and for supply of medical care to free them from human diseases that cause them to die abruptly.

Dr. Pedro A Ynterian
President, GAP Project International