Is a unique refuge located in the Dizangue district, Littoral region, Cameroon. Managed by the Papaye association, this sanctuary’s mission is to provide a safe environment for orphaned chimpanzees, mainly from poaching. These animals are spread across three distinct areas: the islands of Pongo Songo, Okokong and Yatou.
Pongo Songo Island is home to about 30 adult chimpanzees that have begun breeding in the wild. This group is now complete, and any new arrivals would be rejected by the clan. A second island accommodates the adolescents, forming a second almost complete group. The young chimpanzees, often orphans, are housed in wooden dormitories within the association’s base, located on the right bank of the Sanaga River. They are the future third generation of chimpanzees.
The sanctuary is open to the public, offering the opportunity to visit the chimpanzees aboard canoes. However, although visitors can observe the young ones, contact with the animals is limited in order to preserve their reintegration into the wild.
Accessible via a 42 km stretch of land from the Autonomous Port of Kribi, the site has reception facilities, such as restaurants and hotels. The telephone network is stable and health and security services are available nearby. This sanctuary plays a vital role in the preservation of chimpanzees while raising public awareness about their protection.
