Health of the Habitat

May 2013

Jane: Icon, Inspiration, Innovator

Setting the scientific standard for the study of ape behavior in the wild and bringing heart and ethics to the process.

Working tirelessly to protect chimpanzees and their habitat and to inspire young people to take action to improve our world.

JGI’s 30-Year Goal: Protect 85% of Wild Chimpanzees and Their Habitat

In 2012, JGI committed to a 30-year goal of protecting 85% of wild chimpanzees and their habitat. This goal will guide all of the Institute’s

programs and activities moving forward. In our annual Health of the Habitat report, we will share our progress with our most engaged supporters.

Map of chimpanzee range. Regions shaded in gray show entire chimpanzee range. Green represents target range of JGI’s goal to preserve 85% of wild chimpanzees and their habitat.

“Perfect Storm” of Threats

Human population growth / pressure / mobility

Habitat degradation / fragmentation / loss

Island chimpanzee population / high population density / shrinking gene pool

Introduced species / pathogens

Overharvesting of chimpanzees

Climate change vulnerability

Wild chimpanzee populations face a number of challenges and have declined from estimates of 1 to 2 million in the early 1900s to fewer than 300,000 today. Humans pose the greatest threats to chimpanzees — directly through habitat

destruction and illegal trade and indirectly through disease transmission.

Habitat Loss and Degradation

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) states that Africa loses nearly 10 million acres of forest every year, and the continent’s deforestation

rate is twice the global average. Commercial interests degrade and destroy the forest to meet global demand for minerals, lumber and agricultural products.

Illegal Trade

Illegal trade refers to the trafficking of live apes, as well as the illegal commercial bushmeat trade in which wild animals are sold for their meat. In Budongo Forest in

Uganda, approximately 25% of wild chimpanzees have sustained injuries from snare traps. UNEP estimates that chimpanzees comprise 64% of the trafficking in

great apes.

Health Risks

As humans come into closer contact with chimpanzees, the risk of disease transmission increases. Chimpanzees are particularly susceptible to

respiratory infections.

The Congo Conservation Challenge

The Jane Goodall Institute estimates that approximately 77% of remaining wild chimpanzees live in Africa’s Congo Basin forest. This is the area where our

innovations, expertise and methods – developed over more than 35 years – will have the greatest impact. We are poised to meet the challenge.

Taking Action: Context and Perspective

The Congo Basin is an immense landscape and is home to a rapidly expanding population. A variety of distinct languages and unique cultures as well as

security issues and extreme poverty are factors impacting chimpanzee conservation.

JGI chimpanzee target range superimposed on map of continental United States.

JGI Conservation Science: Monitoring Chimpanzee Habitat

Chimpanzee Distribution

Forest Health Chimpanzee

Habitat Health

JGI is combining what we know about chimpanzee distribution, forest health, and habitat health to meet the Congo Conservation Challenge. This includes

development of an index for measuring and monitoring the health of chimpanzee habitat.

Source: Matthew Hansen, University of Maryland

Mapping Chimpanzee Habitat

JGI is partnering with the University of Maryland to use the latest satellite imaging technology to penetrate cloud cover and map chimpanzee habitat

where cloud cover historically limited our observations.

Community Mapping

JGI works with local villagers and private forest owners to conduct forest patrols, gathering data on chimpanzee presence and threats. Forest monitors upload data via smart phones and tablets, which are integrated with other data

sources to enhance JGI’s maps of these of critical ecosystems.

Intact Forest Landscapes and Chimpanzee Range

Sophisticated mapping, combined with local knowledge, has helped JGI researchers and field staff gain a better understanding of the intact chimpanzee

habitats that exist today.

Geospatial Imagery – The Power of Now

JGI is partnering with World Resources Institute and others on a bold new tool that will provide scientists, researchers and field staff with near-real-time data and information on forest threats. Called Global Forest Watch 2.0,

the tool will enable local communities and their leadership to respond to threats while there is time to take action.

Conservation Action Planning

Conservation Action Planning (CAP) helps JGI identify and make progress toward specific goals in the regions where we work. The planning process lays out the

objectives and the strategies necessary to achieve them.

JGI conducted its first CAP in Tanzania near Gombe National Park. We worked with local villagers to establish and implement forest reserves. The villages in the

area set aside more than 25% of community land for forest reserves. Images of the landscape taken before implementation in 2005 and again in 2009 demonstrate a

marked improvement in forest cover.

Leveraging Partners’ Expertise

Partnerships are a crucial element to JGI’s work and our success in achieving our mission. The CAP process is a key tool in aligning the diverse needs of

partners and communities around a shared goal. For example, our DRC CAP included more than 80 partners and covers an area the size of Colorado that is

home to the largest remaining wild chimpanzee population.

Habitat and Humans

How can we even try to save the chimpanzees and forests if the people are so obviously struggling to survive? – Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE

JGI recognizes that protecting chimpanzees and their habitat is interwoven with enhancing the well-being of humans living nearby. JGI continues to work to build the long-term capacity of rural communities so that they can prosper

economically and culturally in ways that conserve natural resources.

Supporting Law Enforcement

JGI’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a critical element in our overall strategy as well. The sanctuary and its education programs provide important

support to authorities protecting chimpanzees and other great apes.

Education

JGI’s education and awareness programs inform the public about the laws concerning great apes and build understanding and respect for wildlife and the

protection of natural resources. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is JGI’s environmental and humanitarian youth program that connects young people in

more than 120 countries with our conservation work in Africa.

Looking Forward

Animals

Environment

People

JGI is committed to Dr. Goodall’s vision for a sustainable future – and we look forward to sharing our progress with you.

Thank You! You Are Making A Difference.

If you have any questions, please contact :

Larry Haskell Vice President of Development

lhaskell@janegoodall.org 703-682-9265