New Study Shows the Impact of PASA Members on Primate Protection
PASA wildlife centers are making a difference through education, community development, animal rescue and long-term care.
By Natasha Tworoski
Across the continent of Africa, wildlife sanctuaries are working hard to better the lives of their native animals. From improving electrical lines to protect monkeys from accidental electrocution to educating communities about the misconceptions of traditional medicine using ape bones, the responsibilities of a sanctuary extend well beyond helping injured and orphaned animals. While each sanctuary faces unique trials, having a means to communicate and share knowledge of successes and challenges with one another can save each sanctuary effort and resources. This is where the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) comes in.
Founded in 2000, PASA is a non-profit charity with 23 member sanctuaries across 13 African countries. While PASA’s members are very diverse, they share a main goal: to provide a safe and secure home for African primates in need. Joining the Alliance requires complying with an extensive list of requirements including organizational planning, a strong financial base, high standards of veterinary treatment and animal care, and conservation education programs.
PASA advocates for its member organizations, provides vital support, and works with them to raise awareness internationally about wildlife conservation and animal welfare. The combination of PASA’s global network and its member organizations’ local expertise and experience uniquely positions the Alliance to produce lasting changes to protect Africa’s great apes and monkeys.
In December 2016, PASA completed an extensive survey of its member wildlife centers. The results show that the centers conduct a wide range of education programs, community development projects, and other work to protect wild primate populations, in addition to rescuing animals from wildlife trafficking and the bushmeat trade and providing long-term care.
Since many of the countries that PASA members reside in are impoverished, providing job opportunities helps sanctuaries to integrate into the local communities. PASA members currently employ 700 African staff. By supplying stable, fairly waged positions and investing in training staff, over 3,000 animals have found a safe, secure place to call home at a PASA sanctuary.
The 22 wildlife centers’ education programs reach more than 500,000 people every year, and their sanctuaries host 153,000 visitors annually. Most of the centers have developed income-generating projects in neighboring communities and improve local agricultural practices, and many provide job skills training. These programs empower communities to break the cycle of poverty so they will no longer be compelled to illegally hunt primates or exploit protected land.
PASA’s members also protect wild primates more directly: most regularly send forest patrols into wildlife habitat, and members in seven countries have successfully worked with government agencies to establish new national parks and other protected areas.
This has all been accomplished in extremely challenging conditions. Fewer than 40% of PASA member organizations members have consistent access to the internet, fewer than 60% have consistent phone connections, and close to 20% lack reliable access to water.
The report on the census of PASA member organizations is available online (please click on “2016 PASA Census Report”).
To learn more and to support primate centers in Africa, please visit PASA’s website.
Two young bonobos at PASA member Lola ya Bonobo. Like many primates at PASA sanctuaries, they were rescued from the black market pet trade.
PASA member Chimfushi offers a safe haven to 120 chimpanzees.
A young Angolan Colobus residing at Colobus Conservation in Kenya, a PASA member that rescues monkey species such as baboons, sykes and vervets.
Next Posts
Women in Conservation: Two Wildlife Heroes in West Africa
This International Women’s Day, celebrate the dedication and achievements of two women working to protect wildlife and inspire the next generation in West Africa.
Rewilding Bonobos: 14 Bonobos Return to the Wild
After years of planning and preparation, 14 bonobos are back where they belong in the lush rainforest of equatorial Africa!
Social Media and Wildlife Trafficking
Social media enables a cycle of cruelty and suffering for primates and other wildlife. But you can help protect animals.
Wildlife Policy Overview: What is CITES and how does it help primates?
CITES, an international trade agreement, has a big impact on PASA members’ work. Here’s how it shapes wildlife policy and sanctuary practice.
Wildlife Crime Won’t Stop Him
Héritier Mpo helps PASA members in DRC rescue apes and monkeys. After wildlife criminals torched his offices he must rebuild.
Trophy Hunting Poses Threat to African Primates
PASA member sanctuaries rescue and care for both monkeys and apes. Although all primates have similarities, monkeys and apes differ in their appearance, geography, and intelligence.
Monkeys vs Apes: How are they different?
PASA member sanctuaries rescue and care for both monkeys and apes. Although all primates have similarities, monkeys and apes differ in their appearance, geography, and intelligence.
Four Chimps Find Sanctuary
Through the global pandemic, and even a coup attempt, PASA and our partners did not give up on these chimpanzees – read the amazing story!
Primate Species Spotlight: The Spot-Nosed Guenon
Get to you know Africa’s remarkable monkeys. Today we feature the spot-nosed guenon, a species found throughout Africa.
A Coalition to Disrupt the Illegal Wildlife Trade
The climate crisis is devastating African primates. Our new report investigates – and shows how sanctuaries are fighting back.