March 20, 2026 More than just a sanctuary: Celebrating 20 years of Chimp Eden by Aslıhan Niksarlı Photo: Chimp Eden Chimp Eden has always held a very special place in Jane Goodall’s heart, and today, as we celebrate its 20th anniversary, we also honour her legacy, her vision, and her unwavering belief in compassion and coexistence. Chimp Eden is known as a sanctuary. But it is more than that, it is a home. A home for 33 chimpanzees who have been rescued from traumatic and often unimaginable pasts. Here, they are given the chance to live out their lives with the care they deserve. They become part of a social life once again, eating, playing, grooming, fighting, and reconciling, slowly relearning what it means to live as chimpanzees in a safe and supportive environment. Chimp Eden’s mission is to provide rescued chimpanzees with living conditions as close as possible to their natural habitat, while supporting their rehabilitation. Here, each chimpanzee receives the care, attention, and safe environment they need to heal from past trauma and begin again. But Chimp Eden is not only a home for chimpanzees; it is also a home for the people who dedicate their lives to them. The caregivers, the team, the individuals who place these animals at the centre of their everyday lives. Their work goes beyond care; it is built on patience, trust, and deep compassion. Chimp Eden represents a unique and powerful intersection of biodiversity, solidarity, and care. It is not just a place where animals are protected, it is a community where humans and wildlife coexist, each playing a role in a shared mission of compassion and protection. It reminds us that conservation is not only about protecting species, but also about restoring relationships and that even after the most difficult beginnings, healing and connection are still possible, that there is always hope! Happy 20th anniversary, Chimp Eden! Explore Related Content From The Field, Learn About Chimpanzees & Other Great Apes The Phenomenon of Inter-Species Play March 20, 2026 Read more From The Field, Learn About Chimpanzees & Other Great Apes, Other Content Meet Dr. Rebeca Atencia, Tchimpounga Sanctuary’s head veterinarian March 20, 2026 Read more From The Field, Good News Stories, Learn About Chimpanzees & Other Great Apes, News and Updates Chimpanzee census reveals groundbreaking discovery in Uganda March 20, 2026 Read more
