The Great Ape Conservation Fund is soliciting project proposals for the conservation of apes [gorillas (Gorilla gorilla); chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes); bonobos (Pan paniscus); orangutans (Pongo spp.); and gibbons (family Hylobatidae)] throughout their ranges.

The U. S. Government enacted the

credit: Fish and Wildlife Service

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Great Ape Conservation Act of 2000 in response to the decline of ape populations in Africa and Asia.

The Act provides for the conservation and protection of apes by supporting conservation programs of countries within the range of apes, and the projects of persons with demonstrated expertise in the conservation of apes.

The Great Ape Conservation Fund supports projects that promote conservation through:
Applied research on ape populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring; Development and execution of ape conservation management plans; Compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of ape or regulate the use and management of ape habitat; Conservation education and community outreach; Enhanced protection of at-risk ape populations; Efforts to decrease human-ape conflicts; Habitat conservation and management; Protected area/reserve management in important ape range; Strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs; Transfrontier ape conservation; and Wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensics skills.

Proposed project work should occur within the ape range, or, if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show a clear relevance to ape conservation.

Applied research projects should address specific management needs and actions, and threats from emerging issues such as disease and climate change that affect the species and their habitats.