Become a Chimp Guardian

Chimpanzees are our closest animal relatives, sharing 98.7% of human DNA. And yet, chimpanzees in the wild are on the brink of extinction. There are many reasons why they are disappearing, including loss of habitat and the illegal bushmeat trade.

While working to put an end to the bushmeat trade, the Jane Goodall Institute is ensuring that illegally-held infant chimps are confiscated from poachers or market vendors and placed in sanctuaries across the continent. In these sanctuaries, orphan chimps live together in a natural environment in the hands of experienced and loving caregivers. They receive proper nutrition and learn to live in social groups that are necessary to their survival and essential for their development and well-being.

JGI supports sanctuaries that care for almost 200 chimpanzees and provide employment opportunities for local people. But our sanctuaries are under tremendous financial strain; chimpanzees live for 50 – 60 years in a sanctuary setting!

Please become a Chimp Guardian and support these very special chimps. Whether in the wild or in a sanctuary, there's a chimpanzee out there that needs your help.

Why become a Chimp Guardian?

It changes lives

Your donations will be used to:

Provide a sanctuary in the Republic of Congo for chimpanzees orphaned by poachers. This is a place where young chimpanzees can live together with as much freedom as possible, in the care of experienced and loving keepers. There is also a study underway to determine if the rescued orphans can be reintroduced to the wild.

Protect important wild chimpanzee populations and address the root causes of the bushmeat trade by working with local people and governments to protect key areas of forests where wild chimpanzees live.

What you will receive:

You can select your chimp to support
Chimp Guardian welcome package, including a certificate of guardianship, stories and photos of the chimps in our sanctuaries
Chimp updates
An electronic copy of the JGI annual report

How do I become a Chimp Guardian?

By making a one-time gift of at least $125.

Or, better yet, sign up to become a Chimp Guardian monthly donor.

It is the best way to provide a source of stable income so that JGI can plan for activities in the long-term.

Why become a Chimp Guardian monthly donor?

What you will receive

In addition to the benefits listed above, each person who signs up to be a monthly donor will receive

a plush chimpanzee
Invitations to special events
E-alerts about upcoming lecture tours, special events, promotions, exciting information

It makes a difference

Your ongoing commitment enables JGI to better plan activities in advance
JGI's administrative costs are greatly reduced, which means more funds go directly to research, education and conservation programs
You will no longer receive reminders from JGI, which reduces paper consumption
It is easy to activate and more convenient than writing cheques
You can spread your donation out over the year, so you hardly notice the regular deductions

It’s simple and flexible

In order to join Team Goodall, all you need to do is to provide us with your credit card information. Your account will be debited on the 21st of each month and you will receive one tax receipt per year. The deductions will continue automatically until you advise us to put your account on hold or stop your donation altogether. It is that simple.

Give a chimp a chance:

Choose Your Chimpanzee.