Have you ever wondered how conservationists spend their days or what keeps them optimistic about the future of nature? Do they always spend their time in the distant wild, or might they be hidden all around us? Do their roles encompass aspects we never thought of?
“Meet The Optimists” is a monthly blog series by Conservation Optimism which introduces conservationists working in different fields and contexts to our readers. We discuss their journeys into conservation, typical daily activities and reasons for hope.
Read on for the inside story on different careers and fresh approaches to conservation!
In the August 2024 blog of Conservation Optimism’s “Meet The Optimists” series, Rowena Facee Schaeffer talks about her work as a conservationist working to save chimpanzees all over!
Could you please introduce yourself to our readers?
I am Rowena Facee Schaeffer, the founder of the Go Ape Foundation. The Go Ape Foundation supports small-scale projects and organizations abroad dedicated to the conservation of chimpanzee populations and their habitats. Though I live and was born in the Netherlands, I spend several months each year in West Africa, visiting the projects supported by our foundation and rolling up my sleeves to assist chimpanzee sanctuaries in various ways, including fundraising efforts.
Can you trace the origins of your interest in conservation and what led to your current work?
Over ten years ago, I began as a volunteer chimpanzee caregiver at Stichting AAP in the Netherlands, which houses around 50 rescued chimpanzees. These animals were saved from homes, circuses, substandard zoos, and laboratories where they were used for testing. My passion for this work grew, and I soon started volunteering at sanctuaries in Africa to learn how they operate and witness firsthand the challenges they face, from deforestation to wildlife trafficking. Simultaneously, I established the Go Ape Foundation to raise funds, recognizing that African sanctuaries often lack the resources needed to function effectively.
I quickly realized that rescuing chimpanzees alone was like mopping up a floor while the tap was still running. Education, legislation, and habitat protection are essential to ensure chimpanzees, like many other wildlife species, do not go extinct. Therefore, I sought out sanctuaries with comprehensive conservation programs. These are the centers that Go Ape Foundation supports, not only financially but also with advice, particularly in fundraising.
Together with the caregivers of Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon
What does a typical day of work look like for you?
In the Netherlands, I work three days a week as a communications advisor for a company. The rest of my days are entirely dedicated to Go Ape. I raise funds, write reports, blog, give lectures, and still volunteer one day a week as a chimpanzee caregiver in the Netherlands.
In Africa, my days are vastly different. At the sanctuaries, I gather as much footage and information as possible for future fundraisers, visit projects, and help out wherever needed. These are long days, but the fulfillment is immense.
What is your favourite and least favourite aspect about your role?
In Africa, I love working with the local staff, learning from them, and providing help and advice. Being surrounded by chimpanzees all day is an added bonus. At home in the Netherlands, much of my time is spent behind a computer, writing reports, fundraising, and blogging.
While these tasks are crucial, especially since chimpanzees are critically endangered, I don’t really have a least favorite aspect because I feel each part of my work is equally important.
As a conservationist, what makes you hopeful about the future?
I see firsthand that local initiatives work. Environmental education in schools, communities supported with sustainable agriculture, and reforestation projects developed with the local population all give me hope. Though it’s challenging to witness multinationals and wealthy foreigners bulldozing through forests with rapid and violent deforestation, no education project can compete with that speed. Raising awareness and educating takes time.
With the rangers of Tacugama in Sierra Leone
What helps you stay positive day-to-day?
All the small successes! From rescuing a baby chimpanzee, painful as it is, to gaining a new adopter for a rescued chimpanzee (virtual!) to someone supporting us by selling their chimpanzee paintings. Recently, a major article about the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary’s work in Sierra Leone, where West Africa’s largest chimpanzee population resides, was published in the Dutch quality newspaper De Volkskrant. Such moments make me incredibly happy and proud.
Could you share a story about a formative moment in your conservation career?
Can I share two?
One unforgettable experience was rescuing a baby chimpanzee. While working at Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone, the head caregiver fell ill, and I was asked, in a rare exception, to care for the baby chimpanzee for over six weeks. This was an emotional yet challenging time, as baby chimps cling to their mothers around the clock in the wild. The 24/7 care was intense, and saying goodbye was tough. Fortunately, I still see the chimp regularly during my visits to Sierra Leone. She is now a thriving five-year-old.
Another memorable moment was visiting the smallest school I’ve ever seen in Sierra Leone in May this year. The school had one room, approximately 5×5 meters, with stone walls and a thatched roof. Inside, 25 children sat on wooden benches, while a passionate teacher taught them about chimpanzees and the importance of forests. This touching scene filled me with hope. I was there to fund environmental education in that part of Sierra Leone, a project of Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Any advice for someone interested in pursuing your field of work?
Working as a volunteer in and around African sanctuaries was immensely beneficial for me. You learn what’s happening on the ground, understand the challenges, and discover how best to apply your skills. Sanctuaries are always looking for motivated individuals with valuable skills, and sometimes, you might even land a paid position! Be prepared for work that rarely follows a 9-to-5 schedule. But if you’re passionate enough, going the extra mile won’t feel like a burden.
