--- title: "Are Chimpanzees Endangered" canonical: "https://ugandawildlifetours.com/are-chimpanzees-endangered/" source: "https://ugandawildlifetours.com/are-chimpanzees-endangered/" author: "admin" publisher: "Uganda Wildlife Tours" published: "2026-10-07" modified: "2026-10-07" language: "engli" image: "https://ugandawildlifetours.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/3-Days-Budongo-Forest-Chimpanzee-Safari.jpeg" word_count: 1831 --- # Are Chimpanzees Endangered > **Summary:** Are Chimpanzees Endangered?Status, Population & How to Help Are Chimpanzees Endangered: Yes, chimpanzees are endangered. The IUCN Red List classifies the chimpanzee as Endangered, meaning it fa... --- # **Are Chimpanzees Endangered?Status, Population & How to Help** **Are Chimpanzees Endangered: Yes, chimpanzees are endangered. The IUCN Red List classifies the chimpanzee as Endangered, meaning it faces a very high risk of extinction in the wild, and its population is still declining, with roughly 170,000 to 300,000 left across Africa.** The picture varies by region: the western chimpanzee is Critically Endangered, the most severe category short of extinction in the wild, while the Nigeria-Cameroon, central and eastern chimpanzees are all Endangered. The biggest threats are habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat, snares, the illegal pet trade and diseases passed on by people. Chimpanzees have already disappeared from parts of their former range, and populations outside protected areas are falling fastest, which is why protected forests in countries like Uganda matter so much. This guide explains exactly how endangered chimpanzees are, how many remain, why their numbers are falling, what is being done to protect them, and how visiting responsibly can help. ## Are Chimpanzees Endangered? Quick Facts | Question | Answer | | --- | --- | | **IUCN Red List status** | Endangered | | **Critically Endangered?** | Not the species as a whole, but the western chimpanzee subspecies is | | **Population** | Roughly 170,000 to 300,000 in the wild | | **Trend** | Declining | | **Main threats** | Habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, snares, pet trade, disease | | **Range** | Forests and woodlands across about 21 African countries | | **Where they are in Uganda** | Kibale, Budongo, Kalinzu, Kyambura Gorge and other forests | ### ![Chimpanzees in Uganda](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Chimpanzee-Civil-War-in-Uganda-scaled.avif) ### Chimpanzee Conservation Status by Subspecies There are four recognised chimpanzee subspecies, and their conservation status differs: | Subspecies | Where It Lives | IUCN Status | Estimated Population | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Western chimpanzee** | West Africa | Critically Endangered | About 18,000 to 65,000 | | **Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee** | Nigeria and Cameroon | Endangered | About 6,000 to 9,000 | | **Central chimpanzee** | Cameroon and the Congo Basin | Endangered | About 140,000 | | **Eastern chimpanzee** | DR Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and neighbours | Endangered | About 181,000 to 256,000 | *Estimates are ranges from the IUCN assessments, not exact counts, and they are revised over time.* Uganda's chimpanzees belong to the eastern subspecies. DR Congo holds the largest share, while Uganda is reported to have about 5,000 eastern chimpanzees and Tanzania roughly 2,700 to 2,800. ### How Many Chimpanzees Are Left in the World? Estimates put the total wild population at roughly 170,000 to 300,000 chimpanzees. That is a wide range because chimpanzees live in dense forest across a huge area, so counting them is difficult. What scientists agree on is the direction: populations are declining across most of the species' range. A century ago, chimpanzees were far more numerous and widespread, and they have been lost entirely from some areas, with western chimpanzees reported to be extinct or possibly extinct in some West African countries. ### Are Chimpanzees Critically Endangered? The chimpanzee as a species is classified as **Endangered**, not Critically Endangered. However, the **western chimpanzee** subspecies is Critically Endangered after a severe population decline, so the answer depends on which chimpanzees you mean. Eastern chimpanzees, including those you can see in Uganda, are Endangered, which is serious but gives conservation more room to work than a critical listing. ### Why Are Chimpanzees Endangered? The Main Threats **Habitat loss.** Chimpanzees depend on forest, and forest is being cleared for farming, logging, mining, palm oil, roads and settlements. As habitat shrinks and fragments, populations become isolated and smaller. **Bushmeat hunting.** Chimpanzees are hunted for meat in some regions, especially near logging and mining camps. Because they breed slowly, a population cannot easily recover from heavy hunting. **Snares.** Wire snares set for other animals often catch chimpanzees, causing serious injury or death. Researchers in Uganda's Budongo Forest have observed chimpanzees helping each other deal with snare injuries, which shows how common the problem is. **The illegal pet trade.** Young chimpanzees are taken from the wild and sold as pets or for entertainment, and this usually means that their mothers are killed. **Disease.** Chimpanzees are vulnerable to illnesses that people carry, including respiratory infections, and to outbreaks such as Ebola. Because they are so closely related to us, they can catch many of our diseases. **Human-wildlife conflict.** As farms expand into forest, chimpanzees raid crops and come into conflict with people, which can end badly for the animals. ### Are Chimpanzees Going Extinct? Chimpanzees are not extinct, and the species still numbers in the hundreds of thousands, but without sustained protection their decline could continue, and some populations could vanish. The key point from conservationists is that where forests are protected and local communities benefit, chimpanzee numbers can hold steady, while populations outside protected areas are declining most quickly. That is why national parks and forest reserves matter so much. ### Are Chimpanzees Endangered in Uganda? Chimpanzees in Uganda are part of the endangered eastern subspecies. Uganda protects its chimpanzees in several forests, and some are habituated for visitors: | Forest | Notes | | --- | --- | | **Kibale National Park** | Known as the primate capital, with over 1,500 chimpanzees and about 13 primate species | | **Budongo Forest** | In the southern part of Murchison Falls National Park, with research and tracking | | **Kalinzu Forest Reserve** | A quieter forest next to Queen Elizabeth National Park | | **Kyambura Gorge** | A gorge in Queen Elizabeth National Park | | **Ngamba Island** | A sanctuary for rescued chimpanzees | Chimpanzees living outside these protected areas are more exposed to forest clearance, snares and conflict, so safeguarding the forests where they are monitored is central to their survival in Uganda. ### Are Chimpanzees More Endangered Than Gorillas? Not exactly. Mountain gorillas number only about 1,063, and the eastern gorilla species as a whole is Critically Endangered, so gorillas are in a more precarious position by that measure. But chimpanzees live over a far larger area and are declining across most of it, and the western chimpanzee is also Critically Endangered. Both great apes need protection, and in Uganda you can see both: chimpanzees in Kibale and other forests, and mountain gorillas in Bwindi. See our [gorilla safaris](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/gorilla-safaris/) and our guide to [Bwindi Impenetrable National Park](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/bwindi-impenetrable-national-park/), where the Uganda gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person. ### Are Bonobos Endangered Too? Yes. Bonobos, the chimpanzee's close relatives, live only in the Democratic Republic of Congo and are also classified as Endangered. They are a separate species from chimpanzees, so the numbers above apply to chimpanzees only. ### What Is Being Done to Protect Chimpanzees? - **Protected areas.** National parks and forest reserves safeguard habitat and keep poaching in check. - **Anti-snare patrols.** Rangers remove snares and help injured animals. - **Community conservation.** Programmes that give local people income and education from standing forests reduce pressure on wildlife. - **Research and monitoring.** Long-term studies track populations and health. - **Sanctuaries and rescue.** Orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees are cared for, as at Ngamba Island. - **Law enforcement.** Hunting, capture and trade of chimpanzees are illegal in many countries. - **Health protection.** Rules keep sick visitors away from chimpanzees to prevent disease transmission. - **Responsible tourism.** Controlled chimpanzee tracking brings income that helps pay for protection. ### Does Chimpanzee Tourism Help Protect Them? When done responsibly, yes. Chimpanzee tracking gives governments, forest managers and local communities a financial reason to keep forests standing: a living chimpanzee is worth more as a conservation asset than as bushmeat or a pet. Permit revenue helps pay for rangers, patrols and community projects, and the presence of visitors can deter poaching. But tourism only helps if visitors follow the rules: keeping a safe distance, staying quiet, and never visiting with a cough or cold, since chimpanzees can catch human illnesses. The minimum age for tracking is generally 15. ### How You Can Help Protect Chimpanzees - **Visit responsibly.** Choose licensed operators and follow ranger instructions. - **Stay healthy.** Do not track chimpanzees if you are ill. - **Never buy or support the pet trade**, and avoid attractions that exploit apes. - **Choose sustainable products.** Avoid goods linked to deforestation, such as unsustainable palm oil and timber. - **Support conservation groups** and reputable sanctuaries. - **Spread the word.** Share accurate information about why chimpanzees are endangered. ### See Wild Chimpanzees in Uganda and Support Their Protection If you would like to see chimpanzees in the wild while supporting the forests that protect them, Uganda is one of the best places in Africa. Explore our primate and wildlife safaris: - [Short Uganda safaris](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/short-uganda-safaris/) that include chimpanzee tracking in Kibale - [2 Days Kibale Chimpanzee Trekking Safari](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/2-days-kibale-chimpanzee-trekking-safari/) and [3 Days Kibale Primate Tour](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/3-days-kibale-primate-tour/) - The [Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/bigodi-wetland-sanctuary/), a community-run conservation project beside Kibale - [Murchison Falls National Park](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/murchison-falls-national-park/) for Budongo chimpanzees and the Nile, and [Queen Elizabeth National Park](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/queen-elizabeth-national-park/) for Kyambura Gorge - [7 Days Uganda Primate Safari](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/7-days-uganda-primate-safari/), [7 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/7-days-uganda-wildlife-safari/), [12 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/12-days-uganda-wildlife-safari/) and [21 Days Uganda Wildlife Safari](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/21-days-uganda-wildlife-safari/) - [1 Day Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Tour](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/1-day-ngamba-island-chimpanzee-tour/) to visit a sanctuary near Entebbe - Our guide to [Uganda safari lodges](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/uganda-safari-lodges/) Curious how intelligent these endangered apes really are? Read our guide: [Are You Smarter Than a Chimpanzee?](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/are-you-smarter-than-a-chimpanzee/)![5 Days Nyungwe Forest Chimps & Gorillas](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/chimp.jpg) ### Frequently Asked Questions: Are Chimpanzees Endangered? **Are chimpanzees endangered?** Yes. The IUCN Red List classifies the chimpanzee as Endangered, and its population is declining. **Are chimpanzees critically endangered?** The species as a whole is Endangered, but the western chimpanzee subspecies is Critically Endangered. **How many chimpanzees are left in the wild?** Roughly 170,000 to 300,000, spread across about 21 African countries, though the figure is an estimate and is falling. **How many chimpanzees are left in Uganda?** Uganda is reported to have about 5,000 eastern chimpanzees, living mainly in forests such as Kibale, Budongo and Kalinzu. **Why are chimpanzees endangered?** Mainly habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, snares, the illegal pet trade and diseases passed on by people. **Are chimpanzees going extinct?** Not yet, but their decline is continuing, and some populations could disappear without strong protection. **What is the most endangered type of chimpanzee?** The western chimpanzee, which is Critically Endangered, and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, which has the smallest population. **Are chimpanzees more endangered than gorillas?** Gorillas are in a more precarious position by status, since the eastern gorilla is Critically Endangered, but both great apes need protection. **Are bonobos endangered?** Yes, bonobos are also classified as Endangered. **Does chimpanzee tourism help conservation?** Yes, when responsible. Permit revenue and community benefits fund protection and give people a reason to keep forests standing. **Can I see chimpanzees in the wild in Uganda?** Yes, in forests such as Kibale, Budongo, [Kalinzu](https://www.kalinzuforest.com/) and Kyambura Gorge, and at the Ngamba Island sanctuary, though sightings can never be guaranteed. **What is the minimum age for chimpanzee tracking?** Generally 15 years. Confirm the rule for the forest you plan to visit. **How can I help protect chimpanzees?** Visit responsibly, stay healthy around them, avoid the pet trade, choose sustainable products and support reputable conservation groups. ### Meet Endangered Chimpanzees the Responsible Way Seeing a wild chimpanzee is a reminder of what is at stake. At Uganda Wildlife Tours, we are licensed in Uganda and plan every trip with your guide, vehicle, lodges and permits, following ranger rules so your visit helps protect the forests these apes depend on. You can read more [about our credentials](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/brand-facts/), browse our [safari packages](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/gorilla-safaris/), or [send us an enquiry](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/contact-form/) to plan a chimpanzee safari that supports conservation. --- *Source: [Are Chimpanzees Endangered](https://ugandawildlifetours.com/are-chimpanzees-endangered/) · Published 2026-10-07 · Updated 2026-10-07* *Author: admin · Uganda Wildlife Tours*