"You have helped not only thousands of primates, but also brought hope to all those who care about them and their suffering at human hands. And the numbers of those who care has increased a thousand fold because of the awareness IPPL has raised in countries around the world."

Dr Jane Goodall DBE

What we do

Photo of smuggled mona monkeys

Smuggled monkeys intercepted by an IPPL representative

We focus on building capacity in countries where primates are native, and we take a practical, integrated approach encompassing welfare, conservation and education. Our work includes:

→Supporting a network of worldwide primate sanctuaries, offering practical expertise and financial assistance.

→Investigating illegal international primate trafficking. Our work has resulted in lengthy prison sentences for smugglers.

→Helping local NGOs to carry out field research, decrease reliance on the primate trade, and develop rescue and reintroduction programmes.

→Working with governments to ban exportation, preserve habitat, and control poaching.

→Maintaining an emergency fund to help primates in need.

Primates are disappearing at an alarming rate with almost half (48%) threatened with extinction. We employ just two members of office staff in the UK so that funds can be directed to building the capacity of people and projects in countries where primates are native.

We work to create and preserve national parks and sanctuaries, and for bans on primate hunting, trapping, and local and international trade.

IPPL’s educational and campaigning efforts have contributed to decisions by many countries to ban or restrict primate trade and to establish programmes to protect primate habitat.

We also have voluntary field representatives in 26 countries helping to further our campaigning and educational work.