The Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund (CWAF), a sanctuary in central Africa that is at the forefront in the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned chimpanzees, gorillas, and other endangered primates, has changed its name to Ape Action Africa.

The sanctuary was formed in 1996 to support the primates housed at the Mvog-Betsi Zoo in Yaounde, and later encompassed the growing rehabilitation center at Mefou National Park.

CWAF was a charter member of the Pan African African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), which coordinates activities between primate rescue centers across Africa.

"CWAF was established in 1996 primarily to improve living conditions at the Mvog-Betsi Zoo," said Caroline McLaney, a trustee of Ape Action Africa. "Since then, we have expanded its mission significantly to provide sanctuary for wild orphans of the bushmeat and pet trade in Cameroon. As the organization has matured, we made the decision to move forward with a name - Ape Action Africa -- that reflected our commitment to great ape protection and aligned us more closely with our current goals."

Ape Action Africa currently cares for 70 chimpanzees and 15 gorillas, and works aggressively to support law enforcement efforts that protect all wildlife in Cameroon. The sanctuary has been regularly featured over the years on Animal Planet programs such as "Growing Up Gorilla" and "Going Ape," and works closely with a number of zoos and conservation organizations in North America and Europe.

Ape Action Africa also boasts an effective conservation education program, and Jeta James Fawoh, the sanctuary's education coordinator, recently won the International Primatological Society's Charles Southwick Conservation Education Commitment Award for 2009.

"PASA is pleased to welcome Ape Action Africa into the sanctuary family," said Doug Cress executive director of PASA. "This new name embodies exactly what the organization in Cameroon is all about."

To find out more, please visit PASA or Ape Action Africa, or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..