Stop and take some time to think of what it would be like if you were an animal – a chimpanzee for example – and you were in danger; your home being cut down, your family slaughtered for meat and you were taken away to be kept as a pet. People are doing this, but not just to chimpanzees. It’s happening to lots of different animals. It’s called poaching and poaching is illegal. A lot of species have become extinct because of poaching and today, in Africa, and all over the world, many species are threatened. Poaching must be stopped.

We recently had a case of poaching here on the Conservancy. One of our southern white rhinos was killed. Max, the unfortunate victim of the poaching, was shot 17 times for his horn! Humanity’s complete disregard for animal life saddens me. It seems no animal is safe; elephants killed for ivory to make jewelry, rhinos for the supposed medicinal value of their horns, chimpanzees a delicacy to some.

The chimpanzees we have at the Sweewaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary shouldn’t even be here but because of habitat loss, bush meat trade and being captured as pets, sanctuaries like ours exist. The killing of these animals happens because there is demand for it. Every one of us has the ability to make a difference; we need to stop the demand, talk about it - rhino horns have no medicinal value! Ivory looks better on elephants! Chimps are not cute pets!

I try my best to educate those who visit us on the plight of chimpanzees and I hope they leave here better informed. In the words of Jane Goodall, “Every single day each one of us makes a difference in the world. For the most part we have a choice about what kind of impact we’re going to have.” Do your part to help wildlife and the environment.