Pasa Primates » Sanctuaries

PASA’s 22 member sanctuaries span the continent of Africa. They were created over the last three decades to accommodate the staggering numbers of chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and other endangered primates in Africa confiscated from the illegal pet trade and bushmeat hunting.

Illegal hunting and the sale of primates is commonplace in many regions of Africa. National and international laws prohibit chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and other rare primates from being hunted, sold or kept as pets. But these laws go unenforced unless there are sanctuaries where government officials can take confiscated animals to be cared for. In most cases these animals need significant medical attention. PASA’s 22 sanctuaries work closely with governments to confiscate illegally captured animals and prosecute people who are hunting and selling them, or keeping them illegally as pets.

PASA sanctuaries provide the highest standards of care and rehabilitation for confiscated primates, based on a system of operational standards that has been the model for other sanctuary accreditation organizations globally.

Said chimpanzee activist Jane Goodall: “These refuges walk a fine line between conservation and captivity, yet their mission is no less important. They operate on the front lines in areas of hardship and anger, and their dedication to protecting mankind’s next of kin is admirable.”

The Pan African Sanctuary Alliance 2007