15 Ways to Support Apes

In the next edition of Wildeverse, scheduled for the fall of 2020, more options to support apes will be built into the game. For now, no matter where you are in the world, there are still things you can do to help them, from becoming a citizen scientist to switching to a skincare brand that uses responsibly sourced palm oil.

Here are some ideas:

REDUCE YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT

There are a lot of people in the world, and we all put pressure on a limited number of resources. Every step you take to reduce that pressure counts, for apes, other wildlife, and the planet in general. Here are a few ideas on where to start:

1. Calculate your environmental footprint. This will help you understand which changes in your life will make the biggest difference. WWF has an easy to use calculator, and if you are in the US, there is one by the EPA.

2. Reduce your use of single-use plastics.
   Lauren Singer from ‘Trash is for Tossers’ shares great tips on a zero-waste lifestyle, including plastic. 

3. Become a palm oil snob. Palm oil is well-known for being sourced from areas where rainforests are chopped down to make space for agriculture, which is a big threat to ape habitats. It’s in almost everything we buy, from peanut butter to face cream. While Eka and Amyra from Wildeverse may disagree on palm oil, the truth is that you aren’t going to be able to eliminate it entirely. You can become more selective about which products you choose and look for substitutes that are tastier, healthier, and more environmentally friendly. Download these handy apps and guides to help you make better choices at the store.

4. Recycle your broken or old cell phone - Like Jodi from Wildeverse mentioned, cell phone parts require mining for minerals, and many of those minerals come from gorilla and chimpanzee habitats. 80% of the parts of your cell phone can be reused, so why not drop it off where it can be recycled?

5. Consider going meatless. Unlike many of the people that live close to Buka and Aida, you probably have lots of alternative options for protein besides meat. You don’t have to go completely vegetarian, but reducing your meat intake goes a long way toward reducing pollution. Start with one day a week, and then go from there!

ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF APES AND THE RAINFOREST

One of the easiest and best things you can do is to let others know that you support ape and wildlife conservation and nudge them to do the same. 

1. Become a nature influencer! Follow and share, share, share! the posts of incredible organisations like Borneo Nature Foundation (@borneo.nature), Goualougo Triangle Ape Project (Facebook: Goualougo Triangle Ape Project), Jane Goodall Institute (@janegoodallcl), Wildlife Conservation Society (@thewcs), Orangutan SOS (@orangutanssos), the Elephant Listening Project (@elephantlisteningproject), and more.

2. Mark your calendar. Join the activities for International Orangutan Day (August 19), World Gorilla Day (September 20), World Chimpanzee Day (July 14), International Gibbon Day (October 24) and make lots of noise, so governments and businesses know that people care.

3. Children and youth can join Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute’s program for young people.

4. Organise a talk. At your school, office, or wherever, about the apes and wildlife of Borneo and Congo (or any of your favourite jungles).

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME AND TALENT 

If you want to get your hands dirty (so to speak), and have regular time available to help out, there are local and international organisations that could use your help. Your time and effort can help protect both the green spaces in your neighbourhood as well as rainforests far away. 

1. Volunteer at your local park, forest, zoo or nature preserve. Almost all of them run volunteer programs and need help. If you search online for “volunteer [your city/state/ province] park” you’ll surely find options.

2. Volunteer directly with our conservation partners. The Borneo Nature Foundation and Goualougo Triangle Ape Project always need more hands and talent. We can’t say exactly what they are looking for right now, but it’s worth checking directly with them about what you could do.

3. Become a citizen scientist. Organizations like Zooniverse provide great ways for everyone to get involved in exciting projects around the world from the comfort of your own home. If you are looking for ways to help apes, there are currently two live projects on Zooniverse  that could use your support: help researchers in Gabon count large mammals, or help scientists identify the behaviour of chimps. 

4. Become a “volunteen”. Zoo’s often have youth volunteers programmes, that give children and teenagers an opportunity to volunteer at the zoo, or to amplify their conservation outreach on social media. If you are in Atlanta in the US: here is one for  Zoo Atlanta (USA).

DONATE TO ORGANISATIONS PROTECTING APES

Protecting apes takes money, whether it’s to do scientific research, stop wildlife trafficking, lobby governments, or more. There are a lot of great organisations that are working to protect apes that will always put your donations to good use. Two of our favorites are the ones featured in Wildeverse.

1. Donate to the Borneo Nature Foundation the protectors of Fio and Chilli. They work in Indonesia on saving the rainforest, scientific research, and outreach and education.

2. Donate to Goualougo Triangle Ape Project, the researchers of Buka and Aida. GTAP works in the Republic of the Congo on research that is critical to the long-term conservation of chimpanzees and gorillas.

Do you have more tips? We’d love to hear from you. Mail anne@internetofelephants.com