Burundi is considering bringing home chimpanzees now housed in Kenya and building a national sanctuary for them. A preliminary study puts the construction cost at more than 5.3 billion Burundian francs.
The ministry responsible for tourism met Monday to validate the study, according to officials who attended.
Pacifique Nshimirimana, an assistant to the minister, said the repatriation answers public demand and that the country’s highest authorities have told the relevant institutions to work together to facilitate the animals’ return.
“The repatriation of these chimpanzees responds to a demand from the population,” Nshimirimana said, according to the ministry’s account of the meeting. He called the animals a “national treasure” and said they could also draw tourists.
The government has proposed the Kigwena Natural Reserve as the site. According to the study, the facility would be designed to meet the animals’ needs and comply with international standards.
The study estimates construction would cost 5,333,499,640 francs.
Georges Nikiza, secretary of the National Committee in Charge of Repatriating Chimpanzees Housed in Kenya, said the return would require preparations for transport, reception, feeding, veterinary care and monitoring.
The proposal nonetheless faces questions about the suitability of the site and the project’s cost. Participants called for further studies before the project goes ahead, including assessments of environmental impact, climate conditions and the site’s suitability. Some also questioned whether the budget would be enough, particularly given the sanctuary’s proposed size, which could reach 100 ares.
The meeting set no timetable for the repatriation. Authorities also gave no details on how the sanctuary would be financed or how much it would cost each year to feed, provide veterinary care for and monitor the animals once it is built.
For now, the repatriation depends on completing and validating the sanctuary plan and the assessments participants recommended.
