H.E.L.P. stands for Habitat Ecologique et Liberté des Primates or in English ‘Ecological Habitat and Freedom of Primates.’ The original aim of H.E.L.P. was to rescue and offer a better life to chimpanzees that had been orphaned as a result of the bushmeat trade and/or were being kept in poor conditions in zoos and people’s houses. The program has also been successful in releasing suitable individuals into a forest where they are able to live self-sufficient and natural lives.  Today 37 chimpanzees live freely in the forest via four separate release programs.  The released chimpanzees are tagged with radio collars. They are tracked and observed daily by teams of local staff and foreign volunteers. This continuous long term study and monitoring of the released individuals is enabling H.E.L.P. to gather scientific behavioral data on the re-introduction program, adaptation behaviors as well as integration into the wild populations. H.E.L.P. is developing a model for re-introduction of the species in collaboration with professional conservationists as well as specialist groups of the SSC/IUCN to be shared with other sanctuaries in Africa who wish to replicate the release program.

The Chimpanzee SSP has endorsed the continued scientific efforts of Dr.Benoit Goosens, who serves as president of H.E.L.P. International.  You can find out more about H.E.L.P Congo at their website.