Western Chimpanzee

 

Western Chimpanzee

2/1/2023

Native to West Africa's savannas and forests, the western chimpanzee is the only subspecies of chimpanzee that is listed as critically endangered. Their name simply derives from the location where they are native to. Western chimpanzees were listed as endangered in 2016, seeing an 80% decline in population over the span of 24 years. Unfortunately, about 83% of the population of western chimpanzees live outside of protected areas. This puts them at high exposure to humans, and the ever-growing need for 'more' that humans have. 

Male western chimpanzees stand at about 4 feet 11 inches tall, and weigh in at an average of 110 pounds, with females being a bit shorts and lighter. They are omnivores, with teeth that can handle both meat and plants. About 50% of their diet consists of fruit, with a minority their diet being meat. Like many other fruit/plant eating animals, they are one of the primary spreaders of seeds when they defecate. To a more minor extent, when they do hunt other animals, this helps keep their population numbers in line. 

The western chimpanzee is one of the more remarkable and unique species of chimpanzees. Their behaviors are stunning! They have been frequently seen hunting with spears, shoving them into holes in trees in hopes of stabbing a bush baby. While active during the day, they have been seen to hunt at night, and find caves to sleep & socialize in! No other species of chimpanzees are quite like the western chimp! This is likely due to them being the only subspecies of chimp that live in the savanna woodlands of West Africa. Their adaptation is truly incredible!

 

Current conservation efforts include protecting them from poachers, who hunt them for bushmeat or to be sold in cities as pets. The WWF helps governments manage national parks, as well as monitor their population, and taking measures to prevent the logging of their homes, and looking for ways to slow the bushmeat market. 

Here's how you can help!

• Donate to the WorldWildLife foundation to help protect their home
• Adopt a chimpanzee through the WWF!
• Everyone has a platform to speak up on social media. Raise awareness! 
• Back organizations by signing petitions to advocate for the prevention of logging and poaching

https://neprimateconservancy.org/western-chimpanzee

https://portals.iucn.org/library/sites/library/files/documents/2020-015-En.pdf

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210817111409.htm

https://www.iucn.org/news/species-survival-commission/202110/new-report-highlights-challenges-and-opportunities-offsetting-private-sector-damage-western-chimpanzee-habitat-west-africa#:~:text=The%20western%20chimpanzee%20is%20a,the%20four%20subspecies%20of%20chimpanzee.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/chimpanzee