The ultimate goal of the Great Apes & Gibbons Program is to achieve conservation and respect for the great and small apes. This is accomplished by ensuring that viable populations of great apes and gibbons are protected from extinction and living in habitats that are managed sustainably and integrated with economic development objectives; and that 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.
Great Apes & Gibbons Program
Arcus’ Great Apes & Gibbons program strategy is driven by its mission to ensure conservation and respect for the world’s gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gibbons, who are under threat in every country where they live.
The foundation’s 10-year strategy focuses on priority ape-range landscapes across 18 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as two countries-the United States and Kenya-where apes are held in captivity outside of their range.
The 2016-2026 strategy aims to:
- Reconcile socio-economic development and conservation activities in priority ape landscapes;
- Build an effective movement of institutions and leadership addressing current and emerging threats to apes;
- Increase respect for the intrinsic value of apes, diminishing their exploitation and ensuring they are provided appropriate care.
It currently prioritizes 24 landscapes based on the size of ape habitat, distribution and density of ape populations, species diversity, level of threat, presence of existing and effective conservation efforts, and the existence of supportive institutions and legislation: 12 in pristine areas,1 10 in frontier areas,2 and 2 isolated areas.3
Across these landscapes, we support holistic, collaborative, and long-term approaches by a range of actors from the conservation and other sectors to promote behavior change, including development of policy and legal challenges; strengthening tools, monitoring, and law enforcement; engaging local communities and leaders in improved and sustainable livelihoods; and developing strong public awareness and thought leadership.
1Trinational (Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic); Virungas (Rwanda, DRC, Uganda); Eastern DRC (DRC); the Greater Mahale Ecosystem (Tanzania); Lomako (DRC); Tshuapa-Lomami-Lualaba (DRC); Northern Rep. of Congo (Republic of Congo); Leuser (Indonesia); Central Kalimantan (Indonesia); Arabella-Schwanner (Indonesia); Gunung Palung (Indonesia); the Hukaung-Htamanthi landscape (Myanmar). 2Batang Toro (Indonesia); Eastern Sabah (Malaysia); Western Java (Indonesia); The Mentawai Islands (Indonesia); Fouta Djallon (Guinea); Cross-river (Nigeria, Cameroon); The Northern Annamites (Laos); Veun Sai-Siem Pang (Cambodia); Tai-Sapo (Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia); East Kalimantan (Indonesia). 3The Cao-vit Landscape (Vietnam/China); Hainan (China).
© Slobodan Randjelovic
Conservation and Development Reconciled
The aim of this goal is to reduce threats to apes in their natural habitat from unsustainable and often inequitable exploitation of natural resources, land and forest degradation and destruction for industrial scale agriculture, extractive industries, infrastructure development, hunting, illegal trade and the concomitant risk of disease transmission from humans.
We work with our partners to address the multifaceted drivers of conservation threats, develop locally appropriate solutions, and monitor and assess impact while recognizing the interconnected and interdependent role played by sanctuaries1 within and around the priority landscapes.
1For captive apes in range states, the foundation focuses on sanctuaries that take steps to prevent breeding, provide lifelong care and rehabilitation for apes, and, when possible and appropriate, return residents back to their natural habitats.
© Jose Kalpers
Effective Conservation Movement Built
The aim of this goal is to ensure that institutions and leadership in great ape and gibbon conservation are able to effectively address current and emerging threats based on strong evidence, joint action, and sustainable funding.
We work with our partners to strengthen capacity and extend networks for monitoring and assessment, to engage in strategic planning at local, national and regional levels, and to establish a well-resourced, diversified, and long-term funding base.
© Slobodan Randjelovic
Increased Respect and Value for Apes
The aim of this goal is to diminish the exploitation of great apes and gibbons and ensure they are provided appropriate care by increasing recognition of our inextricable links with other apes, strengthening our respect for their intrinsic value, and shifting our behavior towards them.
We work with partners on initiatives that increase knowledge and awareness of how humans treat other apes; and with organizations and individuals working to improve their safety and well-being, and halt their use in entertainment, as pets, in the illegal trade, and in invasive medical research.
Under this goal we support efforts to protect apes beyond the priority landscapes in two specific non-range states, the United States and Kenya, to ensure the highest standards of care and sustainable financing are provided for them while in captivity in sanctuaries, and where appropriate to re-introduce them to their home ranges.