Every year The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries hosts “Giving Day for Apes,” a fundraising event focused on benefitting qualified great apes sanctuaries across Africa, Asia, and North America.
This fun-filled day of giving allows a variety of organizations to compete for different prizes throughout the day. Each organization has multiple chances to win every single hour based upon dollar and supporter counts.
The prizes are sponsored buy Arcus Foundation, American Anti-Vivisection Society (AAVS), and Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS). This day is not only to raise money for important rehabilitation work, but also to spread awareness of the plight of great apes.
Many sanctuaries across the globe operate on shoestring budgets and are depended on heavily within their communities (both local and international). Sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers are playing an important role in great ape conservation as they are truly on the front lines of conservation.
Many orangutan rehabilitation centers in Southeast Asia, for example take in injured or orphaned orangutans and nurse them back to health until they are prepared to re-enter their wild habitat. Sanctuaries provide conservationists a buffer when combatting direct and indirect threats to a species’ survival.
