This is your chance to help the Budongo Conservation Field Station in its efforts to protect the chimpanzees of Budongo Forest. By adopting a chimpanzee, you contribute directly to the protection of that chimpanzee in its natural habitat and to discovering more about its life.
Since 1990 we have maintained a year-round presence in the forest. A team of Ugandan staff and international researchers study the lives of the chimpanzees on a daily basis, mount snare removal patrols and provide conservation education and training for Ugandan foresters and local people. Such an intensive effort gives us an intimate view of the chimps, and protects their future, but is expensive to maintain.
How we use your money
Your money will be used primarily to employ ex-hunters to remove snares from the forest, one of the major threats to the Budongo chimpanzees. These hunters have little money and they put snares in the forest to catch forest antelopes and other species (pigs, porcupines, guinea fowl) to eat and to sell in the market. With a small salary they can be turned around into snare removers. By constantly removing snares we are able to make it uneconomic for the hunters to invest in snares, and to show them that it is a waste of time and money putting them in the forest. We also run an education project for village people to explain to them why we remove their snares.
How to adopt
Adoptions cost £20 (€30, $40 US), or £10 (€15, $20) for children under 14, and can be taken out at any time of the year, making them ideal birthday, Christmas, anniversary or even Valentine's Day presents!
To adopt one of the wild chimpanzees of the Budongo Forest, send a cheque for the appropriate amount to 'Budongo Conservation Field Station':
Helen Sunderland
Secretary BCFS
University of St Andrews
School of Psychology
St Andrews, KY16 9JP
United Kingdom
Remember to state the name of the chimp you wish to adopt (you can see them all here) and the name (or, names) you would like to appear on the adoption certificate, and please print your own name and address clearly so that we can get back to you with your gift (see below).
Adopters receive:
- A signed adoption certificate
- A colour print (5" x 7") of your chosen chimpanzee
Photos by F. Möllers, www.florianmoellers.com