Throughout Africa, chimpanzee numbers are dwindling due to the thriving bush meat trade and the international trade in young apes. Though protected under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), an apparent lack of space in African chimpanzee sanctuaries makes it difficult for CITES and other law enforcement authorities to intervene and rescue illegally acquired chimpanzees.

However, this lack of space is now being addressed. On the 2nd of August, the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary officially opened a new house that can cater for up to 50 chimpanzees. The opening ceremony was officiated by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Assistant Director for the mountain region, Aggrey Maumo, who acknowledged that the new facility would be able to offer CITES support in applying pressure to signatory countries where chimpanzees are illegally held.

KWS Assistant Director, Aggrey Maumo, acknowledged that the new facility would be able to offer CITES support in applying pressure to signatory countries where chimpanzees are illegally held. © Deepak Sankreacha	Chimpanzees use a grill-tunnel to leave their new house and step out into their 250-acre enclosure. © Deepak Sankreacha

Ol Pejeta’s Chief Conservation Officer, Martin Mulama, and veterinarian, Dr. George Paul, were present at the opening ceremony to take guests round on a special “behind the scenes” visit of the new house built with financial assistance from the Arcus Foundation. It has twelve spacious rooms for the chimpanzees to sleep in at night and an administration block consisting of kitchen, food store, clinic, and even lab space!

You can view photos of the opening ceremony on our Facebook page.

The Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary encompasses a 250-acre enclosure incorporated into the 90,000 acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The sanctuary is dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of orphaned, injured and/or displaced chimpanzees.