Primate Expertise

03/10/2026

𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝘄𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶-𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗣

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 (PEx), in partnership with 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶-𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸, is supporting sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous Batwa communities living around the park— a key habitat for the critically endangered Grauer’s gorilla.

For over a decade, Primate Expertise and Wild Earth Allies have championed community-centered conservation to reduce human pressures on forest resources. This approach supports Batwa households with seeds and tools to increase agricultural production. These resources offer sustainable livelihood options, enabling families to grow their own food and generate income rather than relying on park resources.

Primate Expertise encourages these households to plant for the future and champion the message that wildlife and local communities can thrive side-by-side.

29/09/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗕. 𝗡𝘆𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗷𝗶 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲.

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 supports 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲’s field programs and partners across the region by ensuring seamless operational management, site logistics, and community coordination.

With years of hands-on experience in primate research and community-centered conservation, 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 recently completed his master’s degree in African wildlife ecology and conservation, focusing on primate ecology and habitat protection.

Please join us in congratulating Michael on his new role!

25/09/2026

𝗜𝗗𝗝𝗪𝗜: 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗕𝗔𝗧𝗪𝗔 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗦

“𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘳”—a belief deeply held by many Indigenous Batwa parents on Idjwi Island as their children step into the classroom.

Through our partnership with Wild Earth Allies, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 supports Indigenous Batwa children by covering school fees and providing essential school supplies at 𝑰𝙣𝒔𝙩𝒊𝙩𝒖𝙩 𝙉𝒐𝙩𝒓𝙚 𝘿𝒂𝙢𝒆 𝒅𝙚 𝙡𝒂 𝑴𝙞𝒔𝙚́𝒓𝙞𝒄𝙤𝒓𝙙𝒆.

For communities that have historically faced social marginalization and barriers to education, this initiative creates new opportunities. Over time, access to education can expand livelihood options, strengthen young people’s connection to the natural world, and reduce pressures on the blue monkey and its forest habitat in the 𝗜𝗱𝗷𝘄𝗶-𝗡𝘆𝗮𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘀𝗶 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲.

Parents, teachers, and school leaders are seeing this transformation: Indigenous Batwa students are integrating with their peers, thriving in the classroom, and gradually overcoming barriers.

Carrying forward the legacy of our late founder, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞. 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗲, we are investing in the next generation to lead conservation efforts from within their own community—fostering a future where Indigenous families and wildlife thrive together.

24/09/2026

𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

On this 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗚𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we celebrate the power of local leadership and collective action for nature.

In the DRC, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 honors the enduring legacy of the late 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞. 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗲 through an approach that brings together cutting-edge science, community engagement, and regional cooperation—recently reaffirmed at the 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 in Cameroon.

To protect the Grauer’s gorilla, a critically endangered species in 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶 𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 and the 𝗜𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘄𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲, our team deploys interconnected solutions:
- 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: Utilizing GIS and remote sensing technologies to optimize mapping and tracking of gorilla families by eco-guards.

- 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The 𝗔𝗽𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁®, which uses intact seeds collected from ape dung to fuel reforestation nurseries for tomorrow.

- 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Engaging local youth to inspire conservation leadership in their communities and build awareness about risks to wildlife, including 𝗽𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴.

Protecting great apes means conserving the forests of the Congo Basin — a vital climate lung for our entire planet — while improving community well-being and livelihood opportunities.

Thank you to our partner Wild Earth Allies for their collaboration in this vital work!

14/09/2026

We are deeply honored and privileged to stand alongside our partner, Wild Earth Allies, at the 4th 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 in Cameroon. Under the leadership of our Executive Director, 𝗔𝗱𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻 𝗞. 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗲, the Primate Expertise (PEx) team remains dedicated to advancing community-centered conservation and carrying forward the vision and legacy of our founder.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BbAq1UQLx/

A special first in Cameroon this week: Team members from two of our partners, Primate Expertise and Acdef-Cameroun, met in person for the first time while attending the 4th Congress of the African Primatological Society.

Throughout the congress, members of both teams shared their knowledge and experience in community-centered primate conservation.

ACDEF team members presented on their work with communities in Cameroon’s Dja Biosphere Reserve, while Primate Expertise team member Michael Baraka Nyakabeji shared his research on community-centered blue monkey conservation on Idjwi Island in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Michael also honored the life and legacy of our late partner Dr. Augustin K. Basabose, founder of Primate Expertise, in a memorial plenary session.

We’re proud to see our partners helping shape the future of primate conservation in Africa.

20/08/2026

Warm congratulations to 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗡𝘆𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗷𝗶, our team member and a Wild Earth Allies Conservation Fellow, for completing his master's dissertation defense at the (CAWM-Mweka) in Tanzania!

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗹 presented his groundbreaking research titled 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆 (𝘊𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘴) 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗱𝗷𝘄𝗶 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the distinguished defense panel for their guidance and evaluation.

Michael’s dedication and hard work mark a crucial step forward for primate conservation in the DRC. His research provides vital scientific data that will directly inform management strategies and strengthen protection for the Nyamusisi Nature Reserve on Idjwi Island, ensuring a safer future for the blue monkey population.

The entire 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 shared immense joy and pride as we cheered Michael on through this remarkable academic milestone!

18/08/2026

One year ago today, we lost a true visionary, mentor, and dedicated leader: 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘂𝗻𝘆𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘀𝗲. 😭😭

As the Founder of 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 (𝗣𝗘𝘅) and a renowned primatologist, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 dedicated his life to protecting biodiversity across Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega, Idjwi, and beyond. Choosing to return to his homeland, he left prestigious international roles to focus on empowering local communities and raising the next generation of Congolese scientists and conservationists.

A devoted educator, Dean, and Academic Secretary General at the Université du Cinquantenaire de Lwiro and the Université Officielle de Bukavu, his commitment to scientific rigor, mentorship, and academic excellence inspired countless researchers and students. Above all, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻 will be remembered for his profound humanity, humility, and unwavering kindness.

Today, we honor his extraordinary legacy and reaffirm our commitment to carrying forward his life's mission with the same passion and dedication. His light continues to guide our work.

10/08/2026

Safe maternal care and thriving local communities are essential for a sustainable future.

𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 (𝗣𝗘𝘅), in partnership with Wild Earth Allies, joined forces with the Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (KBNP) and their strategic partners as well as local Healthcare providers in Miti to celebrate the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 under the theme “𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙨 𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚, 𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚 𝙈𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙎𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙁𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚”.

Local Indigenous Pygmy and Bantou communities, healthcare professionals, and conservationists explored the vital link between safe motherhood, ancestral plant knowledge, and biodiversity protection. Participants discussed transitioning to modern healthcare for safe deliveries while leveraging PEx’s community medicinal plant gardens. These gardens bring essential healthcare closer to families and reduce human pressure on the national park—safeguarding the critical habitat of the Endangered Grauer’s Gorilla.

This gathering showed how combining traditional wisdom with modern healthcare and habitat conservation builds a safer, healthier future for indigenous families and wildlife a

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 👉https://tinyurl.com/5cvkt8uv

31/07/2026

𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶-𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸! 🦍🌿

On this 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 (𝗣𝗘𝘅), in partnership with Wild Earth Allies, is honored to stand alongside our partners at 𝗞𝗮𝗵𝘂𝘇𝗶-𝗕𝗶𝗲𝗴𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘀𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝗛𝗤.

After more than a year of closure due to the security situation, today marks the beginning of a new chapter: the 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 of the KBNP.

To the brave eco-rangers who protect the Grauer’s gorillas, the lush forest, and our shared heritage—𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀. We are proud to walk this path of restoration together.

17/07/2026

𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗖! 🇨🇩🐵

This new page will forever be engraved in the history of primatology. A new species of colobus monkey, scientifically named Colobus congoensis and known locally as Likweli, has just been officially described in the prestigious journal 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗢𝗻𝗲!

What makes it so unique?
- 🍊 Bright orange lips contrasting with a silky black coat.
- 🗣️ A powerful territorial call, resembling a rhythmic roar.
- 🗺️ An extremely restricted range between the Lomami and Lilo rivers, making it one of the most localized primates in Africa.

A source of national pride, but an urgent conservation challenge: Barely having entered the annals of science, this species is already recommended for Endangered status on the IUCN Red List due to its small population size and human pressures.

At 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲 and Wild Earth Allies, we celebrate this major discovery, which serves as a powerful reminder of how much the Congo Basin remains an unexplored living treasure. Protecting these forests is no longer an option—it is both a national and global duty.

📸𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗸𝗼, 𝗖𝗖-𝗕𝗬 𝟰.𝟬

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗢𝗻𝗲: https://tinyurl.com/3j6b2f6u