Chimps Are Family

Public artists and activists Gillie and Marc's latest exhibition is coming to the UK – ‘Chimps Are Family’ – bringing to life the expectation that 80% of the 150,000 chimpanzees across the world will face a population decline of 80% over the next 30 years.

To coincide with World Endangered Species Day on Friday 20 May 2022, the free public exhibition located at London Bridge City will feature 28 chimps demonstrating 18 different behaviours such as love, grief, and tool use, illustrating the vast similarities between us and the animals with which we share 98% of our DNA.

Well-known in London for their recent public sculpture, ‘The Orphans’, a project that brought awareness and much-needed funds to orphaned baby elephants. Gillie and Marc are now moving the spotlight onto chimpanzees and giving the people of London the chance to get up close and personal with our cousins and save them, before it’s too late.

The sculptures are designed to be interactive and engaging and the you are encouraged to get as close as you want, touching their faces, examining their hands, and even giving them a hug.

Each of the chimps will be displayed with a QR code where you can learn all about the individual chimpanzee and find important information surrounding conservation. You also have the option to donate funds, or even adopt one of the individual statues, to go directly to saving chimpanzees.

WWF are working alongside Gillie and Marc to highlight the importance of working together to protect our one shared home.

The sculptures will be celebrated with the hashtags #LoveTheLast and #ChimpsAreFamily to raise unparalleled awareness about the exhibition’s cause across the globe. To help protect the great apes, you can support the work of WWF by donation to the campaign: WWF Chimps are Family.