A call for chimpanzee conservation launched by a park in Sud-Kivu

Kinshasa, July 14^th, 2025 (CPA) . -A call for awareness of chimpanzee conservation was launched on Monday by the management of a park located in South Kivu (northeast) of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the occasion of the celebration of World Chimpanzee Day on 14 July each year, according to a press release. ‘On July 14^th, 2025, Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB) is raising awareness about the conservation of chimpanzees, great apes that are genetically close to humans,’ the note said. In its note, the PNKB highlighted the threats facing the chimpanzees of Kahuzi-Biega, including deforestation, poaching and disease. The information note indicated that, on the sidelines of this day, the Park invited local communities, Congolese authorities and all its international partners to continue to support efforts to protect these animals and their natural habitat. ‘The PNKB expressed its deep gratitude, particularly to the Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Centre, the Lwiro Centre for Natural Science Research (CRSN/Lwiro) and Cooper Congo, for their invaluable support in the care and rehabilitation of chimpanzees rescued from poachers,’ the note continued. World Chimpanzee Day aims to encourage communities everywhere to take action on behalf of this species in order to ensure a sustainable and hopeful future for it. The theme for 2025 is ‘Protecting chimpanzee’s means ensuring a sustainable future for our biodiversity. ‘In Congolese languages, the name ‘chimpanzee’ means ‘false man’ because, genetically speaking, it is, along with the bonobo, the animal closest to humans.