World Chimpanzee Day is an annual observance that is marked on July 14 in several countries around the world. This day is dedicated to raising awareness about chimpanzees, their conservation, and the challenges they face in the wild. World Chimpanzee Day was established in 2018 at the Jane Goodall Institute. The day also marks the anniversary of the day when Dr Jane Goodall first stepped foot into the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania on July 14, 1960, to study wild chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are an endangered species, with populations declining majorly due to habitat loss and poaching. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their habitats, and there is an urgent need to enforce anti-poaching laws. As World Chimpanzee Day 2024 is here, let’s know more about the history and significance of the day. Cute Videos of Chimps Showing Their Funny And Playful Nature.
World Chimpanzee Day 2024 Date
World Chimpanzee Day 2024 is observed on July 14.
World Chimpanzee Day History
On July 14, 1960, Dr. Jane Goodall arrived in what is now Gombe National Park, Tanzania, to start her trailblazing research on wild chimpanzees. To mark this anniversary, World Chimpanzee Day is celebrated annually around the world on this day. World Chimpanzee Day was first founded by a group of NGOs, including the Jane Goodall Institute, the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The annual event is a day of celebration of chimpanzees and the work and dedication of people who have done so much work to help save them. Lesser-Known Facts About the Chimps, Human’s Closest Living Relatives From the Animal Kingdom.
Dr Goodall was the first to observe and widely publicise that chimpanzees make and use tools, have a complex communication system and social structures, and can be altruistic.
World Chimpanzee Day Significance
Chimpanzees share about 98% of their DNA with humans, making them our closest living relatives. Although chimpanzees and monkeys are both primates, Chimpanzees are great apes and, unlike monkeys, do not have tails. The international event promotes education about chimpanzees through various programs, documentaries, and social media campaigns and brings to light all the threats they face. The day also raises awareness about the plight of chimpanzees in captivity, as many chimpanzees are kept in substandard conditions in zoos, entertainment industries, or as pets.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 13, 2024 10:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).