Chimpanzees Endangered

Chimpanzees Conservation Efforts

If we want to all them to remain in the wild, significant efforts have to be in place for them to have a good future. Right now they are endangered and we can either see them increase in population or we can see them move into the more vulnerable areas of extinction. The answer though isn’t just to place the Chimpanzee in captivity and forget about them.

We need them in the environment even if we don’t realize it. The Chimpanzee helps to maintain a balance with other animals in the wild. They also move around to find food and to have a place to stay at night. While they are moving they encourage the scattering of various seeds. As a result there is plenty of food for all types of animals in these areas.

Part of successful Chimpanzee conservation efforts includes protecting the environment where they now live. They need to have a place where they are able to thrive. Humans continue to cut down trees and to plant food on the areas they clear away. They also continue to do mining in many areas of Africa. All of this is very disruptive to the Chimpanzee natural habitat.

The hunting of the Chimpanzee as a source of bushmeat is illegal but one that continues. Enforcing those laws with stiff penalties for those that are involved is important. However, you also have to take into consideration that people around Africa are killing them for their own survival. By introducing was for them to hunt and to grow their own food it will cut down on their need for the bushmeat.

The larger sized Chimpanzees are the ones usually hunted and that can leave many orphans. Rescue efforts for them are important too but it often means they have to be kept in captivity. Sanctuaries for injured Chimpanzees as well as those that humans have kept as pets are important too.

There are many different types of diseases and viruses that can affect troops of Chimpanzees. Many of them are the result of humans being in close proximity to them. It isn’t uncommon for them to introduce ailments that these animals simply aren’t designed to be able to successfully fight. Since they do interact often and they move around they are able to pass it to others.

During the rainy season there can also be an increase in deaths due to exposure to various viruses. Both respiratory problems and gastrointestinal concerns can develop. Infections from fungus and from parasites are also documented. Many experts feel that Chimpanzee conservation efforts need to include finding ways to stop the high mortality rate due to such problems. The answer for how to do that though hasn’t been found yet.

Today the Chimpanzee is classified as and endangered species. Experts agree that if significant changes don’t occur now it will be very difficult for them to remain on Earth in the future. The estimate as to the number of them in the wild today is very spread out. Due the regions where they live though it is hard to get a good count.

It is believed that the number of them can range from 100,000 to 200,000. When you consider how fast they can be wiped out in areas due to their habit being taken or disease though that is a very low number regardless of which side the actual count happens to be on. In addition to raising awareness though efforts have to be made to successfully raise funds for such conservation efforts. If you can donate time or money to such a worthy cause it will really make a difference.