Arcus Foundation

The Arcus Foundation is a leading global foundation advancing pressing social justice and conservation issues. Specifically, Arcus works to advance LGBT equality, as well as to conserve and protect the great apes.

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<p> This program aims to strengthen an international commitment to protect great apes in the wild and care for them in captivity by providing them with effective sanctuaries. The program aims to halt the use of great  apes in entertainment or invasive medical research.</p>

Great Apes in Captivity

This program aims to strengthen an international commitment to protect great apes in the wild and care for them in captivity by providing them with effective sanctuaries. The program aims to halt the use of great  apes in entertainment or invasive medical research.

© Jurek Wajdowicz

Grants

The Arcus Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation that supports organizations around the world working to conserve and protect the great apes.

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Awarded Grants

African Conservation Foundation
Washington, DC $95,000

Animal Protection of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM $100,000

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  1. What We Support
  2. Great Apes in the Wild
  3. Great Apes in Captivity
  4. Great Apes and Ethics
  5. Special Opportunities
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This program aims to strengthen an international commitment to protect great apes in the wild and care for them in captivity by providing them with effective sanctuaries. The program aims to halt the use of great  apes in entertainment or invasive medical research.

Ultimate Goal:

To advance conservation of and respect for the world’s great apes.

Measureable Program Outcome:

Viable populations of great apes are protected from extinction and live in habitats that are managed sustainably and integrated with economic development objectives. There is international commitment to effectively support the captive care of great apes in sanctuaries and not tolerate their use in entertainment or invasive medical research.

             
 

Goal 1

Conservation and development are reconciled to ensure that key great ape habitats and surrounding landscapes that support viable ape populations are maintained.
 

Goal 2

Establishment of effective movement institutions and leadership with great ape focus that effectively address current and emerging threats.
 

Goal 3

Great apes’ rights and value is protected to ensure that exploitation is diminished and they are provided appropriate care.
 
             
 

STRATEGY A

Identify priority landscapes linking ape conservation and human livelihoods.
         
 

STRATEGY B

Strengthen movement capacity through leadership, knowledge and institutional networking.
     
 

STRATEGY C

Establish sustainable finance mechanisms through development planning, endowments and other funding streams.
 
         
 

STRATEGY D

Support related policy advocacy in the US, EU, through international development bodies and within range states.
     

STRATEGY D

Support related policy advocacy in the US, EU, through international development bodies and within range states.
 
           
         

STRATEGY E

Strengthen, maintain and support effective model sanctuaries.
 
           
 

STRATEGY F

Create and implement a public support campaign.
 
     

A Note on Sanctuaries

To be eligible for support, sanctuaries must adhere to strict policies regarding the treatment of apes. They may not breed rescued apes or engage in any commercial activity such as using great apes for entertainment or hire, or buying, selling, trading or loaning donated apes. Public access is allowed only when resident apes are accorded privacy and shelter, and thier overall well-being is not compromised. Organizations must accept responsibility for the lifetime care of all apes, which may include rehabilitation and release to native habitat or transfer to another facility that can offer higher quality care.

Stories of Impact

ChimpCARE Helps Our Closest Relatives Find a Better Future

An alarming number of chimps live in poor, unregulated conditions in the U.S. But that number is declining, thanks to Project ChimpCARE, whose goal is to locate, assess and advocate for these chimps, and to find them appropriate housing and care. Read more >>

Confiscation in Walikale

Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project works to improve the sustainability of mountain gorillas in the wild. Read Dr. Jan Ramer's blog post recounting a dangerous and heroic rescue in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more >>

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