Save the chimpanzee and their habitat
Chimpanzees are disappearing every day. Due to deforestation. Due to poaching. Due to illegal trade.
Go Ape Foundation takes action
We protect chimpanzees and their habitat.
We do this by supporting local projects and sanctuaries that have been carefully selected and developed by us.
True collaboration
We collaborate with carefully selected local centers and partners who know the environment and the people. They have also developed education and outreach programs.
We visit these centers regularly ourselves and know the management as well as the caregivers, outreach teams, and rangers. No top-down help, but shoulder to shoulder. Together, we build a future where humans and animals live in harmony.
Who is behind Go Ape?
“After what I have seen, I cannot help but take action.” – Rowena Façee Schaeffer
I am Rowena, founder of Go Ape Foundation. My mission began at Stichting AAP – and led me deep into the African jungle. What started as volunteer work became my life’s work: saving chimpanzees and protecting their habitat.
As a communication professional and fieldworker, I combine campaigns, education, and direct support to sanctuaries.
I personally know the management and many employees of the centers we support, and I travel there regularly, also to visit the projects we support. Therefore, I am certain: every euro is spent on the intended projects and ends up where it makes the most difference.
Education Awareness
Education is the key to nature conservation.
That is why we support sanctuaries that provide nature education to children in their community.
In 2024, these centers reached – with our help – approximately 50 schools in Sierra Leone and Cameroon.
Thousands of children thus learn about forests, animals, water, and hygiene. They take that knowledge home – and make their entire village more aware.
In the coming years, we want to double the impact. Will you help?
Protection of nature reserves
Why is this so important? Well-equipped rangers can better protect forests, monitor wildlife populations, and combat poaching. They are the front line of nature conservation.
In addition, we naturally also support the rangers who protect the natural habitat of wild animals.
With durable (rain) clothing, their equipment, phones, and ‘camera traps’.
Why is that so important? Well-equipped rangers can better protect forests, monitor wildlife populations, and combat poaching. They are the front line of conservation.
We also contribute to reforestation and local projects that benefit both people and nature.
Adopt a chimpanzee
Go Ape Foundation only works with centers that not only help animals in need but also do their utmost to preserve the habitat of these animals.
Of course, we also support them in the care of rescued chimpanzees, as it is intensive and costly. We have therefore included orphans from these sanctuaries in our adoption program.
Through our adoption program, you contribute to the daily care, food, and medical support of a chimpanzee. You give them a second chance at a safe life.
You receive exclusive behind-the-scenes updates – and become part of their recovery story.
No time to lose
For over 10 years, Go Ape Foundation founder Rowena Facee Schaeffer has committed herself with heart and soul to chimpanzees. Both in the Netherlands and in the African rainforest. And unfortunately, that is desperately needed.
Chimpanzees won’t make it without help; can they count on you? Take action now, before it’s too late!
No time to lose
In addition to supporting initiatives in the field of nature conservation and education, Go Ape Foundation naturally continues to help with the sheltering and rescue of chimpanzees. The animal that is closest to us humans.
More chimpanzees disappear every day.
Only fifty years ago, more than a million chimpanzees lived in the wild. Today, there are fewer than 200,000 left.
For more than 12 years, Rowena – founder of Go Ape Foundation – has committed herself with heart and soul to these animals and their living conditions. In the Netherlands and in the places where their lives are at stake.
The chimpanzee cannot survive without help.
Do you want to make a difference? View our projects and support us.
For nature. For the future. For the chimpanzee.
👉 Button: See how you can help
Why is the chimpanzee threatened?
Due to poaching, illegal trade, and loss of habitat, among other things, the chimpanzee population has decreased enormously over the past decades. You will surely notice that these threats are caused by humans. This means that humans can also limit these dangers. That is not easy, but it is necessary if we want to prevent the chimpanzee from becoming extinct.
How many chimpanzees are left?
There are four subspecies of chimpanzees; the differences in the species are mainly based on the area in Africa where they live. All four subspecies are threatened with extinction. The main threats are poaching, loss of habitat, and wildlife trade.
All chimpanzee species are endangered
The chimpanzee is an African great ape. There are four subspecies; the differences between the species are mainly based on the region in Africa where they live. All four subspecies are threatened with extinction. The primary threats are poaching, loss of habitat, and the wildlife trade.
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Protect the chimpanzee, our closest relative
Just like gorillas, orangutans, and humans, chimpanzees belong to the great ape family. Human DNA is approximately 98.5% identical to that of chimpanzees. The similarities in social and moral behavior are touching and fascinating. Chimpanzees are even more closely related to us than to gorillas. Unfortunately, this special kinship does not contribute to them being safe from humans. That must change if we want the calls of chimpanzees to continue echoing in the African rainforests in the future. Would you like to help with that?
“Great apes are very special. They are so close to us that you begin to doubt the boundary. Whether there even is a boundary.”
Frans de Waal
We are incredibly proud of these wonderful testimonials!
I am literally proud as can be of the great work Rowena performs with her Go Ape Foundation. I have seen her in action in Africa countless times. The passion with which she protects chimpanzees and other primates is unprecedented.
I once had the privilege of meeting Jane Goodall. She said words to me that I will never forget: "Together we can make this a better world!". This motto is also perfectly suited to Rowena. In Sierra Leone, Rowena, together with Jane Goodall’s good friend Bala, rescued baby chimps that had been poached by local people for the illegal trade or were kept as pets. The look in Rowena's eyes when she held such a traumatized little creature in her arms said it all. It was a mix of Jane's and Rowena's. There is hope. Because every day that Rowena does her beautiful work for primates and nature conservation, she inspires others. Just as she has touched me.
But I also see in Rowena's eyes the fighting spirit to liberate the animal and care for it in a safe place.
Rowena is a unique human being. If only the world had more Janes, Balas, and Rowenas. There is hope. Because every day that Rowena performs her beautiful work for primates and nature conservation, she inspires others. Just as she has touched me.
I am proud. Incredibly proud...
I am writing to highly recommend Rowena Façee Schaeffer, whom I have known for over six years. Her dedication to volunteering and passion for chimpanzee conservation have been exceptional.
Rowena began volunteering at Tacugama in 2018 and has since been an integral part of our team. For five years, she has effectively managed social media, awareness, and fundraising campaigns with unwavering commitment and thoroughness. Her enthusiasm for the conservation of chimpanzees is truly inspiring, and she has made a significant impact on our organization's mission.
I wholeheartedly endorse Rowena Façee Schaeffer for any conservation or volunteering pursuit. She is a remarkable individual with a genuine passion for making a difference.
Bala Amarasekaran
Bala
Since early 2013, Rowena has been one of the most loyal and committed volunteers in my department. For years, she has faithfully come to help with animal care one day a week, alongside her regular work. Although she initially had no experience in caring for apes, let alone chimpanzees, she quickly mastered this through her inexhaustible interest,
enthusiasm, and motivation.
In addition, Rowena is active for Stichting AAP at other times as well. Sometimes she helps our Communication or Fundraising departments, and outside of AAP, Rowena is regularly busy collecting things for our apes. Rowena has made herself indispensable as a volunteer for Stichting AAP over the past 10 years, and I hope that Friday remains her AAP day for a long time to come.
When you say chimpanzees, you quickly think of Jane Goodall and Frans de Waal.
But feel free to add the name Rowena Façee Schaeffer to that list.
The way Rowena is committed to the welfare of our closest relatives is admirable. I wish Rowena and all the people of the Tacugama project that they will be able to sustain our closest great ape, the chimpanzee, for a long time to come.
I am therefore very honored to be an ambassador for her foundation, Go Ape. Rowena helps make it possible to rescue and raise orphaned chimpanzees.
How wonderful it would be if we could get more people excited about (financially) supporting this work, which is unfortunately so desperately needed.
I wish for Rowena and all the people of the Tacugama project that they will be able to sustain our closest great ape, the chimpanzee, for a long time to come.
Let us all contribute our modest part to that.
