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← Ape Action Africa

2024-12-31-accounts

Annual Report and Accounts

Year ended 31[st] December 2024

Ape Action Africa

Year ended 31 December 2024

Report and Accounts

Charity information

Principal office address: Lilac Cottage Berwick Lane Birlingham Worcestershire WR10 3AE Trustees: Mr I Bickerstaff Chair Ms V Luke Ms C McLaney Treasurer Bankers: Triodos Bank Deanery Road Bristol Barclays Bank West Kirby Wirral Merseyside SCB Cameroun SA Siege Social Avenue Monseigneur Vogt BP 700 Yaoundé Cameroon

Registered charity number: 1057061

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Ape Action Africa

Year ended 31 December 2024

Trustees’ report

1. Introduction

The Cameroon Wildlife Aid Fund was established under its constitution on 17th July 1996 as a registered charity and changed its name to Ape Action Africa in 2009. The registered charity number is 1057061.

2. Objects

The objects of the charity are to:

3. Officers and trustees

The Trustees are:

Mr Ian Bickerstaff Ms Victoria Luke Ms Caroline McLaney Treasurer

Dr Jane Goodall was the president of the charity and we were saddened to learn of her death recently. She was an inspiration to many people across the globe, particularly to those of us working in primate sanctuaries. She carried out groundbreaking work in Gombe with chimpanzees that forever changed how we see our closest animal relatives. And she was a tireless advocate for wildlife, ecosystems and communities. She will be sadly missed and we carry on our work with primates that need our help in her memory.

4. Review of Activities in Cameroon

Overview

Despite its challenges, we had a productive 2024 and completed various new projects in the sanctuary and in the local community. Our dedicated staff and management team ensured that our rescued primates received the best of care, while also continuing with numerous other tasks, such as routine and emergency veterinary procedures, repairs and maintenance

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to the enclosures, new construction projects and the continuation of the education programme.

Primate Numbers

As of 31 December 2024, we provided sanctuary for:

----- Start of picture text -----
Gorillas 26
Monkeys 146
Chimpanzees 120
Gorillas Chimpanzees Monkeys
----- End of picture text -----

Rescued primates

Two infant chimpanzees were brought to the sanctuary in March and June. Both were estimated to be approximately 3 months of age on arrival. The first infant was introduced to a caregiver and, after the required health checks were performed, started spending time in our forested infant enclosure. The second chimpanzee arrived with a respiratory illness and was placed in quarantine. After his quarantine period was completed, the two infants were

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Year ended 31 December 2024

introduced to one another and have since bonded well with each other and with their caregivers.

In August, a female gorilla of approximately one and a half years of age arrived at the sanctuary. She was confiscated near the town of Lomié in the east of Cameroon when a man tried to sell her next to the road. Apart from being malnourished and dehydrated, she also had a wound on her wrist from the rope that was used to restrain her at the person’s house. We could see that she was experiencing pain in her forehead, so an X-ray was taken which showed that she had two bullet fragments embedded in her skull. The vet team were able to remove one of the bullet fragments, but the second piece was not extracted because it was on the inside of the skull and the procedure could have caused neurological damage.

The removal of the one bullet fragment alleviated the pain she had been experiencing. She has fully recovered from her procedure and has since been integrated with a gorilla troop. We would like to thank the Wandering Bus Programme of Prague Zoo for assisting MINFOF during the confiscation of this gorilla, which ensured she was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

Photos showing the location of the bullet fragments on the infant’s head and on the X ray.

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A juvenile male mandrill and an adult male mona monkey were surrendered to the sanctuary after being kept as pets in Yaoundé. The mandrill was reported to have been found in a forested area over a year ago and was missing his left foot, possibly because he had been previously caught in a snare.

The mona monkey was surrendered from a leisure resort in Yaoundé. Staff from the resort explained that the monkey had appeared there more than six months ago and had stayed on the property willingly. It is unknown whether he was an escaped pet or a wild monkey who had wandered into the city. After causing some trouble at the resort, the staff decided to capture the monkey and put him in a cage, where he was kept until he was surrendered.

A young female spot-nosed guenon was transferred to AAA from Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue. The monkey had been purchased at a village in the area and was kept as a pet for multiple months before being surrendered to the sanctuary.

After completing their quarantine period, the rescued monkeys were integrated into appropriate troops.

A researcher working in Lobéké National Park found a juvenile, male agile mangabey in a village near the park. The monkey was believed to be a wild primate but was in poor health, hardly being able to move. The researcher informed AAA of the situation and MINFOF staff transported the mangabey to our sanctuary. The monkey was examined by AAA’s veterinary team and was found to be malnourished and dehydrated, with nasal secretions, diarrhoea and skin lesions across the body. Due to the skin lesions, our veterinary team suspected that the mangabey might have contracted Mpox and the Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE) and MINFOF were informed.

The mangabey’s condition unfortunately did not improve over the next few days, and despite our veterinary team’s best efforts, the mangabey died. Samples were taken by staff from MINSANTE and were positive for the presence of the Mpox virus. Everyone that was in contact with the mangabey underwent a 15-day quarantine period and the park was closed to visitors. Fortunately, no one showed any signs of Mpox over the quarantine period as the appropriate health and safety measures had been followed when treating the mangabey. We would like to thank MINSANTE and MINFOF for their support during this period.

The final individual to arrive in 2024 was a juvenile male chimpanzee who was voluntarily surrendered to the sanctuary. After completing the quarantine period, he was introduced to the other two juvenile chimps and has settled well with both them and his caregivers.

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Construction

In May, the construction of a monkey satellite cage was completed at one of our gorilla enclosures, facilitating the introduction of two guenon monkeys into the gorilla group. For more information regarding this integration, see the section Integrations and Transfers below.

At another gorilla enclosure, some of the individuals had been refusing to enter their satellite cage, making it difficult to maintain and repair the enclosure. Construction of an additional satellite cage, funded by our Honorary President Mr Eran Moas, was completed in June. This gives the gorillas the opportunity to distribute themselves across more rooms, hopefully encouraging the entire group to enter.

The gorilla satellite cage during and after construction

Due to the age of some of the enclosures, the foundations had started to deteriorate and needed extensive repair. Reinforcement was provided at one gorilla and two chimpanzee groups by building a secondary foundation on the outside of the enclosures.

Our construction team also started work on a new chimpanzee enclosure, which we completed in the first half of 2025. This enclosure is initially home to two chimpanzees that have had to be caged because they had learned how to escape from normal enclosures. Once these two chimps are settled and secure, we will also attempt to integrate other individuals from one of our larger chimpanzee troops with these two individuals.

Our construction team built new climbing frames in our high security monkey enclosures. These elevated climbing frames simulate the arboreal environment that monkeys have in the wild and give the monkeys the opportunity to fully utilise the space within their enclosures.

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In 2024, the construction team also completed many routine repairs of satellite cage systems, fences and buildings across the sanctuary.

Integrations and Transfers

For the first time at Ape Action Africa, guenon monkeys have been introduced to a gorilla group. Being herbivorous, gorillas do not eat monkeys and are thus suitable to be integrated with other primate species that do not pose a threat. Mixed species enclosures are fairly common at zoos but have not been attempted at the sanctuary before. The two monkeys selected for the integration had previously been removed from their group due to frequent conflicts and no other suitable monkey groups existed for them to join.

The two guenons were first introduced to one another and, after the success of this initial integration, they were transferred to the satellite cage by the gorilla enclosure. After spending multiple weeks becoming familiar with the gorillas from the safety of the cage, the monkeys were released into the enclosure in early June. The success of this mixed species integration has opened many new possibilities for us to explore, which might allow us to move other individuals into gorilla enclosures and reduce the numbers in some of our monkey groups.

one of the monkeys and an adult female gorilla together in a tree

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After finishing her quarantine period, the infant gorilla who arrived with bullet fragments in her skull was integrated with one of our gorilla troops. She was introduced to the same troop where another young gorilla was integrated in 2023. The infant was quickly adopted by two of the females and has since been introduced to the whole troop.

The infant gorilla climbing and relaxing with her adoptive mother after recovering from gunshot wounds to her head.

Education and Visitors

Our education programme continued in 2024 with our education officers reaching 586 children from 14 schools around the sanctuary. The programme teaches local children about primate conservation, inspiring them to act to protect their natural heritage.

The Wandering Bus Programme, in collaboration with Prague Zoo, had another productive year and brought 203 students to visit the sanctuary over the course of 10 visits.

Our tour guides continue to welcome and educate both national and international visitors to the sanctuary. In 2024 we received 3,065 local and 2,399 international visitors.

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After a video of one of our silverback gorillas cradling a bushbaby went viral in 2018, two authors who are passionate about conservation and education approached the sanctuary with the idea of turning the story into an educational book. Through this collaboration “Bobo et le galago” was created, telling the story of gorilla Bobo and the tiny bushbaby in a childfriendly format with illustrations. The book was handed out to local children who came to the sanctuary for educational visits.

A group of students with the new book and children reading the book after a tour at the sanctuary.

In collaboration with AAA, a team from non-governmental organisation GLOBIO started a new project which aims to create educational films about primate conservation, with a specific focus on Cameroon. The project started in February with the team conducting surveys among children and teachers at schools around the sanctuary. The goal of this is to better understand what children and adults already know and do not know about primates and their conservation. Once the films are completed, they will form part of AAA’s educational outreach programme, teaching children in local schools the importance of Cameroon’s apes and monkeys and of their protection.

Community

We were very pleased to have conducted another training programme at Mefou Health Centre. In October, two qualified mid-wives from the United Kingdom conducted a 6-day training programme with health centre staff as well as pregnant women from the community. The training programme for the health centre staff focused on dealing with complications during delivery and the resuscitation of new-born infants, while the programme for the

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Year ended 31 December 2024

pregnant women concentrated on caring for new-borns. The programme was very successful and was well received by both the health care staff and the pregnant women.

Thanks to funding generously provided by the Palo Alto Rotary Club, we were able to complete three projects to support communities around the park. This funding allowed us to repair the roofs at the primary school in Mfida and the secondary school in Ndangueng, while also allowing us to build new toilets for the primary school of Ndangueng after a fallen tree had caused serious irreparable damage.

Volunteers and Internships

We received a new international volunteer at the sanctuary early in 2024, but also welcomed back two returners, one of whom is an artist. Robin Huffman used her creative skills to redo and touch up some of the signage at the sanctuary; we are very grateful to her and to all of the volunteers who give up their time to support our work.

Later in 2024 we also welcomed another two international volunteers, Dr Nadia Sbriller and Ms Haley Lewis. Dr Sbriller is a veterinarian who came to volunteer in our veterinary department and assist with various programmes and procedures. Ms Lewis is an experienced chimpanzee caregiver who volunteered to offer her expertise on the rehabilitation of some of our primates. We would like to thank both of them for offering their time to come and assist at the sanctuary.

During the year we also received five students for internships at the veterinary department. These students came from Ecole de Faune de Garoua and the University of Buea. These students each came with different projects and objectives, but also learned various other skills while completing their internships at the veterinary clinic.

We also received two students from the University of Buea for internships at our education department. These students were taking part in these internships as part of their Masters degrees in Ecology and Wildlife Management.

Donations

Our veterinary clinic received a donation of an ultrasound machine, an invaluable piece of equipment which allows our vets to more accurately diagnose patients and provide more specific treatment to the primates in our care. Previously an ultrasound machine was shared

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between the three primate sanctuaries in Cameroon, often delaying procedures due to the logistical difficulties of transportation. We would like to express our immense gratitude to our Honorary President, Mr Eran Moas, for this very generous gift.

We are also grateful to Nkouandjang Nestor, a Cameroonian artist, for kindly donating a beautiful gorilla statue, which now stands at the entrance to the sanctuary and has been very popular with visitors who love taking photos with “Bobo”.

The beautiful gorilla statue donated to the sanctuary by Nkouandjang Nestor, a local artist

New staff members

We welcomed a new international veterinarian, Dr Agustina Tapia, to our team and wish her great success with her work here at Ape Action Africa.

Threats

Cameroon's most significant threats to primate populations are deforestation, hunting and habitat destruction. The hunting and deforestation pressures around the park continue to increase. Our efforts to fight and reduce their impact in the park area continue in collaboration with MINFOF (Ministère des Forets et de la Faune / Ministry of Forestry and

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Wildlife) and the villages around the park. In one such instance, staff became aware of forest being cleared very close to one of the gorilla enclosures. After being informed of the issue, MINFOF sent a delegation to address the situation with the villages involved and made it clear that no farming or bush clearing is allowed in the area.

Upon the request of MINFOF, AAA, in collaboration with MINFOF, created signs that were put up around the park boundaries, clearly stating that farming is strictly forbidden within the park. Ecoguards from MINFOF have also started patrolling the park twice a month to ensure that these regulations are respected. To assist MINFOF with this task, AAA donated a new motorbike to ensure that the ecoguards can travel to and from the park.

Veterinary department

Our veterinary team has continued to provide excellent healthcare for all our primates. Apart from attending to several emergencies, the department also carried out routine procedures such as health checks, vaccinations, deworming and changing implants. The veterinary team focused particularly on performing health checks on the monkeys this year and made use of these procedures to also administer deworming medication and vaccinations.

New project: Mfou wild chimpanzees

In March 2022, AAA were called to a chimpanzee snared in a small, forested area known locally as the Ngoandou Forest. This was the first indication that wild chimpanzees could be found less than 3km from Mfou town. Our staff engaged with the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) to discuss the potential of developing a programme to survey the area in order to determine whether chimpanzees are present and how many reside there.

A plan was agreed and, through funding from Twycross Zoo, the team was able to obtain the necessary equipment (camera traps, etc.) to start the survey. The first camera traps were placed in the forest on 30 January 2024 and to date have captured images of a single troop of 10 chimpanzees in the area. The team also conducted a socio-economic survey with six villages in the area.

This project is ongoing as we continue to monitor this group of wild chimpanzees and explore various possibilities of protecting these chimpanzees as well as the forest which they inhabit.

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Finance review

We are reporting a deficit for the year of £36,648 and net assets of £93,157. The deficit has been funded from reserves.

Our costs have increased from £406k to £471k which is largely due to increases in our most significant expenses: salaries have increased by £44k and animal care costs have increased by £13k. The increase is salaries is partly due to additional staff and also due to pay rises which are set out in the labour law in Cameroon. Animal care costs have increased largely due to an increase in the price of animal food. After salaries, animal food is our most significant expense and it is tightly controlled by our team in Cameroon. We buy food from local farmers whenever possible but with almost 300 animals to feed, we have to source food elsewhere and inflation has had an obvious negative effect on our expenses.

Our income for the year was £434k, an increase of £11k. 89% of our income is from donations and we are very grateful to everyone who has helped us by donating and to those volunteers who work tirelessly fundraising for us.

The balance sheet is in a net asset position with our major asset being cash at bank and in hand of £116k. Accruals and other creditors have increased due to money paid in advance to us for a project that has been postponed. We refunded the money in 2025. We are repaying the loan of £12k in accordance with the loan agreement.

We are delighted that following the award of a grant of $100,000 in 2023, the Arcus Foundation have agreed to continue to help us with our running costs for the next 3 years. Two members of the board, Vicky Luke and Ian Bickerstaff, worked hard on the application along with our Director, Rachel Hogan and the management team in Cameroon. We are so pleased that all the hard work was successful and we look forward to continuing to work with Arcus in the future.

The trustees are content with the financial position of the charity but they are very aware of the difficult economic climates around the world that have a significant impact on the fundraising capacity of the charity.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to MINFOF (Ministry of Forest and Wildlife) for their continued support which has been ongoing for many years.

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We would also like to thank our Honorary President Mr Eran Moas, the Arcus Foundation, all our private donors, volunteers and long-term supporters who allow us to continue giving the best care possible to the primates who live with us at Mefou Primate Park.

The trustees are extremely grateful to everyone in Cameroon who continues to work so hard. We are also very grateful to our fundraisers who work so hard in their spare time to raise money for the charity. This is a difficult task at the best of times but fundraising during difficult economic conditions worldwide has been, and continues to be, particularly challenging.

Despite the numerous challenges of running a sanctuary as large as Ape Action Africa, we will continue to prioritise the care and rehabilitation of our primates so that they have a positive future with the highest standard of care that they deserve.

Signed on behalf of the board Caroline McLaney Trustee 27 October 2025

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Ape Action Africa

I report on the accounts of the Ape Action Africa for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 16 to 21.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Laurence Morgan Chartered Accountant ICAEW membership number: 9277845

27 October 2025

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Ape Action Africa

Year ended 31 December 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

Notes
Incoming resources

Donations
2
Grant
Fees received
2
Fundraising
2
Interest received
Total incoming resources
Resources expended
Animal care
3
Staff costs
3
Infrastructure costs
3
Education programme
Community support
3
Administrative expenses
3
Fundraising costs
3
Finance charges
3
Total resources expended
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Unrestricted
Restricted

377,609
8,661
386,270
292,792
0
0
0
80,141
34,964
0
34,964
36,552
11,734
0
11,734
12,770
1,524
0
1,524
468
425,831
8,661
434,492
422,723
64,242
36,153
100,395
87,261
220,957
22,355
243,312
199,526
64,561
17,993
82,554
88,532
7,806
0
7,806
2,076
9,195
10,155
19,350
10,891
10,527
2,145
12,672
11,598
3,499
0
3,499
2,905
1,551
0
1,551
3,452
382,338
88,802
471,140
406,241
43,493
(80,141)
(36,648)
16.482
49,664
80,141
129,805
113,323
93,157
0
93,157
129,805

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Balance Sheet
Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Current assets
Other debtors and prepayments 4,330 6,507
Cash at bank and in hand 116,414 143,298
120,744 149,805
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 4 18,587 8,000
Total assets less current liabilities 102,157 141,805
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 5 9,000 12,000
Net assets 93,157 129,805
Charitable funds
General fund 93,157 49,664
Restricted fund 0 80,141
93,157 129,805

The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 27 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by:

I Bickerstaff Chair

C McLaney Treasurer

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Accounts

1) Accounting policies

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with:

These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:

d) Volunteer help

The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.

e) Foreign currency translation

Transactions denominated in Cameroon francs have been translated to sterling at a rate of 660cfa/£1, being the average rate for the year. Balance sheet items have been translated at the year-end rate of 670fcfa/£1.

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Accounts

2 Analysis of incoming resources
Donations
Adopt an Ape scheme
Volunteer programme
Ape Action Africa Inc – transfer of donations
Other donations
Fees
Mefou Primate Park - Visitor fees
Fundraising
Merchandise
Online auction
3 Analysis of resources expended
Animal care
Animal food
Mfou wild chimp project
Vet supplies
Staff costs
Cameroon salaries
CNPS and tax
Staff medical fees
Uniforms
Staff training
Staff awards
Workers’ food
Infrastructure
Construction and repairs
Forest supplies
Vehicle maintenance		 2024
2023
£
£
2,876
4,340
2,650
2,822
46,453
62,176
334,290
223,454
386,270
292,792
34,964
36,552
11,734
11,912
0
858
11,734
12,770
74,344
66,084
2,678
0
23,373
21,177
100,395
87,261
176,667
139,780
33,251
27,943
2,203
756
2,900
1,022
439
372
251
33
27,601
29,620
243,312
199,526
47,364
55,007
3,636
3,288
31,554
30,237
82,554
88,532

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Year ended 31 December 2024

Notes to the Accounts

3 Analysis of resources, continued
Community
Community support costs
support
Children of conservation project
Administrative
expenses
Cameroon office and education
supplies
Accounting software
Sundry expenses
Fundraising expenses
Events
Merchandise purchased
Finance charges
Bank and fundraising platform fees
Exchange differences arising on
translation
4 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Loan
5 Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
Loan		 2024
2023
£
£
10,689
1,551
8,661
9,340
19,350
10,891
12,331
10,962
108
108
233
528
12,672
11,598
0
648
3,499
2,257
3,499
2,905
1,188
945
363
2,507
1,551
3,452
15,587
5,000
3.000
3,000
18,587
8,000
9.000
12,000

The loan is interest free, unsecured and repayable over 5 years.

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Notes to the Accounts

6 Restricted funds

Restricted funds
Fund title
Children of conservation
Arcus Foundation grant		 31/12/2023
Incoming
resources
Resources
expended
31/12/2024
0
8,661
(8,661)
0
80,141
0
(80,141)
0
80,141
8,661
88,802
0

The children of conservation fund pays for the school fees of the children of staff of Ape Action Africa who otherwise could not afford to send their children to school. The children must achieve target grades to qualify for funding.

The Arcus Foundation grant is restricted to funding our running costs and it was fully expended by September 2024.

7 Related party transactions

None of the trustees received either remuneration or expenses during the year (2023 – £703.90).

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