Akatia

Akatia is a rehabilitation center for primates resulting from wild animal trafficking. A BIT MORE DETAIL:

In the past 18 years, the wild chimpanzee population in Cote D’Ivoire has decreased by an estimated 90%. As a member of CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), the Ivorian government has stepped up protection and enforcement efforts to apprehend traffickers and to recover trafficked endangered species. Unfortunately, a lack of education on the importance of species preservation, as well as the economic motivation in local communities to take part in the illegal wildlife trade hinders the success of these efforts. Additionally, the lack of an appropriate facility to care for rescued animals obstructs the government’s ability to enforce its anti-trafficking and wildlife laws. Right now, confiscated chimpanzees are sent to the National Zoo in Abidjan, which lacks the resources, space and capacity to care for these animals. Akatia will work to improve the welfare of captive primates throughout Cote D’Ivoire by ensuring humane living conditions and providing enrichment and intellectual stimulation. As conservation efforts in Guinea, the Congo and other countries have shown, sanctuaries are critical to the success of conservation initiatives for chimpanzees and other primates. Sanctuaries provide intensive 24-hour care to rescued chimps who often suffer from psychological and physical trauma after their rescue. Living in a sanctuary not only helps orphaned chimpanzees recover, but the semi-free environment of a sanctuary also allows chimps to be rehabilitated by providing them with the necessary environment to thrive. For certain qualified individuals, this rehabilitation will eventually lead to reintroduction to the wild, providing a critical reinforcement of wild chimpanzee populations. On a broader scale, Akatia will work toward combating the illegal trade of chimpanzees and other wildlife through local conservation education, sensitization, environmental protection, and community development efforts.