Ngamba Island is currently home to 49 orphaned and confiscated chimps, rescued from the illegal pet and bushmeat trade. Despite their initial trauma, chimps living at Ngamba have a safe and semi-natural environment in which to recover and eventually thrive over their long lives of up to 60 years.
Founded in 1998, the island offers 95 acres of natural forest where the chimps roam and forage daily. Their diet is supplemented multiple times per day much to the delight of visiting tourists who are able to observe the feeding from a viewing platform. The chimps also have the freedom to stay in the forest at night or return to nighttime enclosures where they can build nests and receive an evening meal.
The goals of the sanctuary are to:
- Provide a safe home for rescued chimpanzees while also caring for the environment & other wildlife on the island;
- Provide a high-quality educational experience for visitors
- Benefit local communities.
Caring for the chimps is a 24/7, year-round commitment provided by a dedicated team of more than 22 care givers, veterinarians, volunteers and island staff. CLICK HERE if you want to visit Ngamba Island and discover first-hand what it takes to feed & care for 49 chimpanzees.
