The US government’s funding cuts are set to impact a crucial chimpanzee conservation initiative led by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. The project, managed by the Jane Goodall Institute and supported by USAID with a pledged amount of $29.5 million over five years, aimed to safeguard endangered chimpanzees and their habitats in western Tanzania. Launched in November 2023, the Hope Through Action project focuses on reforestation and community-led approaches to biodiversity conservation and enhancing local livelihoods, inspired by Goodall’s groundbreaking work emphasizing the collaboration between communities and nature for species protection.

Chimpanzees are facing a dire situation, with populations declining significantly, leading to extinctions in three African countries and a plummet in overall numbers to below 340,000. Despite the funding setback, a glimmer of hope shines through as JGI Austria, in partnership with the Berlin-based search engine Ecosia, has stepped in with a $100,000 donation to support JGI Tanzania’s Gombe reforestation project. This gesture aims to mitigate the impact of the funding cut by facilitating the planting of 360,000 seedlings that were at risk due to the defunding.

The decision to withdraw funding from the Hope Through Action project is part of broader cuts affecting USAID’s climate-related initiatives, as highlighted by a recent analysis by Refugees International revealing the discontinuation of 98% of such awards. In response, JGI Austria’s director, Diana Leizinger, expressed determination not to abandon the project’s mission, stating, “We refuse to abandon people and nature. Where hope could have been destroyed, we are helping it grow again.” The repercussions of these funding cuts on critical conservation efforts underscore the need for continued support and collaboration in protecting endangered species and preserving biodiversity.