The Summerville-based International Primate Protection League (IPPL) cares for 32 gibbons at its rural Knightsville sanctuary. But IPPL helps programs on all continents. It supports sanctuaries and groups working to make life better for the primates who share our world.
At the end of each year, IPPL distributes grants to many small deserving primate organizations. It prefers to help small groups working with less well-known species or in troubled nations. In December, grants were given to 10 overseas organizations, including:
• The Silvery Gibbon Project (Indonesia). This center cares for 28 silvery gibbons at its sanctuary on the island of Java, Indonesia. Silvery gibbons are members of a highly endangered species found solely on Java. Many of the project’s healthy gibbons may one day be released back to the forest.
• International Animal Rescue (Indonesia). Veterinarian Dr. Karmele Llano received an IPPL grant for work investigating the trade in slow lorises, a small nocturnal species with huge eyes. These beautiful animals are sold as pets all over Indonesia. Their sharp teeth are often chiseled away by animal dealers to prevent them from biting. Karmele and her colleagues are investigating the loris trade and working for prosecution of traffickers.
• Ikamaperou Primate Sanctuary (Peru). This sanctuary cares for South American primates rescued from the bushmeat trade. All over South America primates are killed for food, including endangered species. Ikamaperou is working to buy land to protect it from development.
• Tacugama (Sierra Leone). This sanctuary cares for nearly 100 chimpanzees confiscated from traders and people who illegally owned them as pets. During the civil war in Sierra Leone, Tacugama’s brave animal caregivers crossed enemy lines to make sure their chimpanzee charges were fed and cared for.
• Other recipients of IPPL grants include groups in Nepal, Singapore, Thailand, Chile, Colombia, Cameroon, and Nigeria.