Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue

Today is World Chimpanzee Day 💞🐵, a day to honor chimpanzees—our closest relatives in the wild. Sharing more than 98% of our DNA, they show extraordinary intelligence, emotional depth, and physical ability.

July 14th, 1960, was the day Dr. Jane Goodall arrived at Gombe National Park, Tanzania, to begin her pioneering chimpanzee research. This day celebrates chimpanzees, highlights the threats they face in the wild—including habitat loss, poaching, disease, and the illegal wildlife trade—and promotes compassionate, ethical care for chimpanzees in sanctuaries and zoos.

As a friend of Sanaga-Yong, you help protect chimpanzees every day through your activism, generosity, and compassion❣ We hope you can join us for our Sanaga-Yong Soirée on Saturday, September 19th so we can thank you in person! https://sychimprescue.ejoinme.org/soire2026 🎉🥂

Alice, Stanley & Jacky, who loves his avocados! 🥑 (left to right) - Photo courtesy of Director Sheri Speede

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We urgently need to raise $2,400 to complete a new extension for adventurous Mintak’s sleeping enclosure - a safe, enriching space that will protect him while we work toward a permanent solution. 💞🐵

Mintak has repeatedly found ways to leave his enclosure to visit our staff area and neighboring chimp enclosures. While we wish we could continue to let him do so, each escape puts him in danger of entering the forest and being attacked by wild chimps or killed by hunters.

We are building a spacious extension which includes a tall climbing tower, a small pool, and room for other chimps from his social group to join him. 🐵🐵 Construction has already begun and we can complete the project within 2 months. We need only $2,400 to purchase the remaining materials and finish the work. 🙏 Please donate today - https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/Sanaga-YongChimpanzeeRescue/donation-1.html! On behalf of Mintak and his community, we thank you❣

Adult Mintak photo courtesy of Director Sheri Speede - Mintak at 7 years of age photo courtesy of Agnes Souchal - Baby photo courtesy of Marie-Eve Lavigne

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Beautiful Cecile (female, age 26) enjoys boiled peanuts - a wonderful nutrient-rich snack purchased locally in Cameroon.

Cecile joined our sanctuary family back in November 2002. Employees of an American oil company purchased baby Cecile in the city of Bertoua and brought her to Sanaga-Yong. Despite their good intentions, buying chimpanzees perpetuates the illegal trade, and Sanaga-Yong has always had a strict policy against it. There was nothing to do at that point but educate the pipeliners, who would be returning to America soon, and assume care for the sweet baby.

24 years later, Cecile continues to thrive in her group of 10 chimpanzees.

You can help us purchase the next basin of peanuts for her group by donating today!
https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/Sanaga-YongChimpanzeeRescue/donation-1.html

Photo courtesy of Co-Manager Dr. Marianna Boros

A beautiful image of Berchi (front) and Foe in the speckled shade of their forest enclosure, courtesy of Director Dr. Sheri Speede.

These two have been especially kind and welcoming to young chimpanzees Tamara and Kolbi during their integration! Stay tuned for photos and more updates soon.