About Us
Protecting Primate. Preserving Forests. Empowering People
Ape Action Africa is dedicated to the protection of endangered primates in Cameroon. Our mission is to respond to the urgent threats facing gorillas, chimpanzees, and monkeys, while working with local communities to build long-term solutions that ensure their survival in the wild.
We rescue orphaned and injured primates, some just days old and on the brink of death. At our sanctuary in Cameroon’s Mefou forest, they receive round-the-clock veterinary care, nourishment, and the chance to recover in a safe, natural environment.
Within this area, far from the dangers of poaching, our expert team of caregivers, many from nearby communities, provide daily care and support. When the orphans are strong enough, they are gradually introduced to social groups of their own kind, helping them regain the bonds they lost.
Education is a core part of our work. Through our outreach program, we welcome local schoolchildren to the sanctuary, giving them the chance to experience Cameroon’s wildlife up close and learn why protecting it matters.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on strengthening long-term sanctuary care, improving forest enclosures, and supporting the skilled local teams who make this work possible every day. Every rescue is a lifelong commitment, and every improvement directly impacts the welfare and future of the primates in our care.
Our Mission
Our History
Ape Action Africa began in 1996 as the Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF), originally focused on improving conditions for primates at the Mvog-Betsi Zoo in Yaoundé. Over time, our mission expanded to meet the growing crisis caused by the illegal bushmeat and pet trades.
For 13 years, CWAF provided a safe haven for orphaned and injured primates across Cameroon.
But in 2009, we adopted a new name, Ape Action Africa to better reflect the full scope of our work and long-term commitment:
Ape – to offer sanctuary for endangered primates orphaned by exploitation
Action – to actively rescue, rehabilitate, and provide lifelong care
Africa – to work in close partnership with the people of Cameroon, protecting their natural heritage through education and support
Since that change, Ape Action Africa and our sanctuary at Mefou have grown into one of Africa’s largest wildlife rescue operations. We’re proud of all we’ve achieved through rescue, rehabilitation, and education and we remain determined to protect primates for generations to come.
While the threats they face are ongoing, our outlook is hopeful. With continued support, we are ready to raise awareness, expand our impact, and build a safer future for Cameroon’s great apes.
A vibrant and active education program is central to our work in Cameroon, because the future of the country’s great apes lies in the hands of the children growing up today. In some communities, gorilla and chimpanzee meat is still seen as a delicacy, and the high prices it commands continue to drive illegal hunting. That’s why education and community development go hand in hand. Through our outreach, we help communities explore more sustainable ways to grow food and earn a living , starting with education in schools and villages.
Our dedicated education team works tirelessly with local children, teaching them about bushmeat, deforestation, conservation, and environmental issues in fun, engaging ways. They run nature clubs, visit schools, plant trees, and use creative activities like art to spark curiosity and build empathy for wildlife.
For many children, a visit to our sanctuary is the first time they see a chimpanzee or gorilla in real life. Our forest-based education center brings their lessons to life and helps foster a deeper connection to Cameroon’s wildlife. Beyond the classroom, our commitment to community development is long-standing. After more than a decade of working closely with local villages, we’re seeing real progress - collaborative projects that make communities feel like true partners in conservation
Growing ecotourism and awareness around wildlife protection in Cameroon is also supporting this shift, helping to build a future where both people and primates can thrive.
Education & Community Development
X-ray revealing a bullet fragment lodged in a young gorillas skull, the result of illegal poaching.
Rescue & Rehabilitation
Ape Action Africa is dedicated to rescuing orphaned and injured primates in Cameroon, many of whom have suffered the devastating impacts of poaching and the illegal pet trade. These traumatised animals often arrive in critical condition some just days old, malnourished, and clinging to life.
At our primate sanctuary, each individual receives urgent veterinary treatment, specialised nutrition, and round-the-clock care from our experienced team. As they begin to recover physically and emotionally, they are gently integrated into social groups of their own species -forming new bonds that are essential for their long-term well-being.
Set within secure, forested enclosures, these natural environments allow rescued primates to exhibit species-specific behaviours and regain a sense of safety and freedom. Our goal is not just to heal, but to provide a lifelong sanctuary where each primate can thrive.