World Chimpanzee Day | History of World Chimpanzee Day| Threats to Chimpanzees | Chimpanzee Conservation | Dr Jane Goodall |Jane Goodall Institute

World Chimpanzee Day is observed every year on July 14.  However, the day marks the anniversary of Dr Jane Goodall’s first day of studying chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in 1960. Dr Jane Goodall is considered the world’s foremost expert on Chimpanzees. This global day aims to raise awareness about chimpanzee conservation and highlight the critical threats they face. In addition, this day also raises awareness to protect chimpanzees habitat and threats to chimpanzees. Furthermore, it adresses the issues chimps face in their habitats. Jane Goodall Institute and other conservation partners established this day in 2018.

History of World Chimpanzee Day

World Chimpanzee Day was first celebrated in 2018.  The date July 14 commemorates the day in 1960 when Dr Jane Goodall, a 26-year-old primatologist, began her historic research on wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania.

Dr. Jane Goodall, has spent her life combining science with advocacy. Through her international organization, the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), she leads community-based conservation, promotes animal welfare, advances research, and empowers youth through the Roots & Shoots program. Moreover, through Jane Goodall Institute, she encourages people everywhere to become environmental stewards and compassionate leaders.

Today, Dr Jane Goodall, continues to reach global audiences through remote lectures, video messages, and her podcast, the Jane Goodall Hopecast. Furthermore, in 2021, she received the prestigious Templeton Prize and released her book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times.

Most importantly, her observations forever changed science. She discovered that chimpanzees use tools, express emotions, and have complex family relationships. Her work led to a global movement for chimpanzee conservation, animal welfare, and environmental education.

Therefore, in honor of her groundbreaking discoveries and lifelong commitment to primate protection, conservation groups around the world recognize July 14 as World Chimpanzee Day.

Purpose of World Chimpanzee Day

The main purpose of World Chimpanzee Day is to celebrate chimpanzees and raise global awareness about the threats they face. The day also highlights threats to chimpanzees. Furthermore, this special day highlights the need to protect these intelligent and emotional animals, who are also our closest living relatives, sharing nearly 98.7% of our DNA.

Firstly, the day aims to educate people about the unique behaviors, intelligence, and social lives of chimpanzees. It encourages a deeper appreciation for their role in both natural ecosystems and scientific research. Chimpanzees play a vital part in forest health by dispersing seeds and maintaining biodiversity.

Secondly, World Chimpanzee Day brings attention to the serious challenges chimpanzees face in the wild. These include deforestation, illegal hunting, the pet trade, and diseases. As a result of these human-driven threats, chimpanzee populations have dropped by over 50% in the last 60 years. Therefore, the day calls for stronger conservation actions, both locally and globally.

Moreover, the day honors Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work, which began on July 14, 1960, in Gombe, Tanzania. Her research transformed world understanding of chimpanzees and inspired a global movement for primate conservation and animal welfare.

In short, the purpose of World Chimpanzee Day is to celebrate, educate, and motivate. It urges everyone, from scientists and conservationists to students and policymakers to work together to protect chimpanzees and the forests they call home.

Threats to Chimpanzees

Sadly, due to threats to chimpanzees their population is declining fast. Over the past 60 years, their numbers have dropped by more than 50%. The main threats include deforestation, illegal hunting, disease transmission, human-wildlife conflict and pet trade.

Chimpanzees live in tropical forests, which are rapidly being destroyed. Forests are cleared for logging, Agriculture and plantations, Mining operations & road construction and human settlements. As forests disappear, chimpanzees lose access to food, shelter, and safe nesting areas. Moreover, fragmented habitats isolate groups, reducing their chances of survival and reproduction.

Importantly, poaching poses a serious threat to chimpanzees. Bushmeat has long been a traditional food in Central and West Africa. Now, it has become a commercial trade. Wealthy urban consumers drive the growing demand. In addition, hunters often kill adult chimpanzees. They capture infants alive during hunts. Traders sell these young chimps as exotic pets in cities.

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Chimpanzee Conservation

There are currently four recognized subspecies of chimpanzees: the central chimpanzee, Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, western chimpanzee, and eastern chimpanzee. Wild chimpanzees are found across a wide range, stretching from the remaining rainforests of Ivory Coast, through Central Africa, and reaching as far east as Tanzania. Sadly, all four subspecies are classified as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Estimates suggest there are between 170,000 and 300,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. However, some subspecies are critically low in number for example, the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee may have as few as 6,000 individuals remaining. Across their range, all chimpanzees face major threats, including habitat destruction, and the illegal wildlife trade and bushmeat hunting.

Many organizations are working for chimpanzee conservation worldwide. These groups focus on protecting chimpanzees through research, rescue, habitat preservation, education, and law enforcement. These organizations include Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and The Centre de Conservation pour Chimpanzés (CCC).

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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