Before we discuss how Jane Goodall eventually ended up studying Chimpanzees in Gombe or her contributions to the conservation scene of the Chimpanzees, it is vital for us to learn more about this animal that has come to be the main star of Goodall’s works. By understanding the extent of the severity of threats that Chimpanzees face in the natural world today, we can then identify with Goodall’s passion and drive in calling for the conservation of this incredibly lovely animal.
The common Chimpanzee, or Pan troglodytes, has been listed as Endangered under the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List.
The Chimpanzees face three main threats to their survival: Bushmeat Trade and Poaching, Extraction Industries, and Diseases. While there were about one million Chimpanzees living in Africa back in the 1990s, the species have experienced a significant population reduction with only 170,000 to 300,000 left in the wild today. Coupled with the Chimpanzees’ low population densities and slow reproductive rates, Chimpanzees have already faced extinction in 4 African countries. If we fail to put a halt to the activities that threaten their survival, we would soon approach the brink of total extirpation of the Chimpanzee population in the near future.