Fatshimetrie, July 15, 2024. Chimpanzees, these emblematic primates of the forests of Central Africa, occupy an essential place in the ecological balance of the Haut-Uélé province, and more particularly in the Garamba National Park. On this World Chimpanzee Day, celebrated on July 14 each year, it is crucial to highlight the crucial role that these great apes play in the regeneration of forest ecosystems.
Diana Kimpungi, research assistant and responsible for monitoring chimpanzees in Garamba National Park, underlines the importance of these primates in dispersing seeds through their droppings. By feeding on fruit, chimpanzees promote tree growth and forest regeneration, providing essential environmental services to human populations. Indeed, forests play a vital role in regulating the climate, purifying water, limiting soil erosion and producing oxygen.
However, despite their valuable contribution to the ecosystem, chimpanzees face many threats. Deforestation, exacerbated by the expansion of human activities, has led to the reduction and fragmentation of their habitat, jeopardizing their survival and exposing them to increased dangers. This is why it is urgent to take conservation and awareness measures to protect these primates and preserve their habitat.
Thanks to awareness-raising efforts and conservation measures implemented by the Garamba National Park teams, we are seeing a positive development in the distribution of chimpanzee nests. This jewel of biodiversity, managed by African Parks in partnership with the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation, benefits from major institutional support to restore biodiversity and reduce the threats weighing on this protected area.
The European Union and USAID provide crucial support to this sustainable development program, aimed at improving governance, conservation of natural resources and the socio-economic conditions of communities living around Garamba National Park. This public-private partnership constitutes a model of successful collaboration for the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of chimpanzees, guarantors of the ecological balance of the region.
On this day dedicated to chimpanzees, it is essential to remember the importance of these primates in the preservation of forests and biodiversity. Their protection and the safeguarding of their habitat are crucial issues to ensure a sustainable future for our planet and future generations.