Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is Accredited by Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

September 5, 2024 – The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), the only globally recognized organization providing standards for identifying legitimate animal sanctuaries, awarded Accredited status to the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust also known as Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary as of August 15, 2024.

Accreditation means that Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary meets the criteria of a true animal sanctuary and is providing humane and responsible care of the animals. To be awarded Accreditation status, an organization must meet GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed animal care standards which are confirmed by a site visit and they must also adhere to a demanding set of ethical and operational principles. Accreditation also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors and grantors to recognize Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary as an exceptional organization.

“It’s a pleasure to announce the recent Accreditation of Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a wonderful sanctuary providing a lush and expansive natural habitat to orphaned and rescued chimpanzees. These animals will live out their lives amongst companions and be cared for by a staff of veterinarians and caregivers dedicated to their well-being,” said Kristin Leppert, GFAS Program Director, Wildlife. “We are so proud to recognize Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary as a true sanctuary.”

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is proud to be associated with and accredited by GFAS. We are committed to the conservation of the chimpanzee as a species and to the protection and conservation of the natural habitat of chimpanzees and other wildlife. This is reflected in our actions and policies and this accreditation is a testament to our commitment to continually improve and be an example to other sanctuaries in Africa. 

About Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the sole purpose of strengthening and supporting the work of animal sanctuaries, rescues, and rehabilitation centers worldwide. The goal of GFAS in working with and assisting these animal care facilities is to ensure they are supported, honored, recognized and rewarded for meeting important criteria in providing care to the animals in residence. GFAS was founded in 2007 by animal protection leaders from a number of different organizations in response to virtually unchecked and often hidden exploitation of animals for human entertainment and financial profit. The GFAS Board of Directors guides the organization’s work in a collaborative manner.www.sanctuaryfederation.org.

About Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary
Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is managed by the Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust) a locally registered nonprofit in Uganda whose vision is the sustainable conservation of chimpanzees in their natural habitats and the provision of the best captive care for this that cannot live in the wild. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary is home to now, 53 orphaned as rescued chimpanzees on a 100-acre Island on Lake Victoria. The sanctuary boasts of being a ‘model’ sanctuary for primate species, specifically chimpanzees in Africa. The sanctuary was founded in 1998 as a result of a combined local and international effort to provide a solution to the escalating pet trade in chimpanzees characterized by civil war and insecurity in the country in the 80’s and early 90’s. Hundreds of infant chimpanzees were (and still are) separated, often violently from their families, for export for exploitation in pharmaceutical development, experiments and the pet trade, due to their closeness and similarity to humans.

The sanctuary offers a safe home for those that have been fortunate enough to be rescued from such situations. They serve as a beacon of hope for the unfortunate ones that are sold, and now more than ever, for those that continue to lose their natural habitat, the tropical forests due to deforestation that is rampant world over. The Chimpanzee Trust programs are designed to address these challenges and create hope for the future of the species for generations to come.

The Chimpanzee Trust is Guided by a Board of Trustees with representation from local and International Conservation NGOs and Government Agencies concerned with the welfare of wildlife. www.ngambaisland.org

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