ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS

Alternative Livelihoods:

Growing Economic Opportunity through Conservation

PASA members help those living near vital primate habitat learn new skills while protecting primates.

Our Approach

Earning a living wage is one of the best ways to prevent the illegal trade in primates. So PASA works with our members to develop and launch community development projects that give local people new ways to earn money and feed their families. Sanctuaries are able to form strong bonds with communities by engaging them in conservation initiatives, proving that we are stonger together.

We help them connect with companies and organizations that have the resources needed, and support them throughout the project. Many of our members have long running programs in reforestation, beekeeping, farming, and sewing handicrafts.

How PASA members work with communities

COFFEE

Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center, in D.R. Congo, sponsored a coffee growing initiative to improve the livelihoods of people living near an area of critical biodiversity.

BEEKEEPING

Several PASA members train local residents in sustainable bee keeping practices, and support to grow their businesses. Photo from Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

SUSTAINABILITY

Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in Sierra Leone, has a mangrove conservation project which empowers women from communities around the mangrove swamps to learn sustainable oyster harvesting.

Don't miss out on the movement to save primates

Be the first to know about new rescues, innovative conservation programs, and inspiring transformations. As part of the Alliance, you will be on the forefront of African conservation and in a key postition to make a difference.

5 Ways to Help Save Gorillas

Anyone can have an impact on gorilla conservation through simple actions.

Celebrate World Parrot Day with PASA!

This World Parrot Day, we are celebrating four of our amazing member sanctuaries that offer a second chance to rescued parrots!

What is an Endangered Species?

This article explains what it means to be “endangered” and explores how human activities can threaten species. It also highlights how Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) member centers rescue, rehabilitate, and conserve endangered primates and their habitats.

Celebrate 23 Years of PASA in 2023

PASA turns 23! It’s 2023 and we’re asking you to help us celebrate our 23 member sanctuaries and our 23 years of protecting primates. To mark this day, we are launching our Primates Forever Campaign to ensure magnificent great apes and monkeys remain wild and protected.

Viruses in Sanctuary Chimpanzees Across Africa

New research finds that sanctuary chimpanzees are infected with viruses previously found in wild chimpanzees. Additionally, it suggests that, like in the wild, sanctuaries experience reverse zoonotic respiratory virus transmission.