How do chimpanzees, our closest relatives, "get to know" how to avoid noxious plants and select those that seem to treat them? This is the questions that has tormented and is still tormenting Sabrina Krief, a veterinarian and lecturer at the National Museum of Natural History, since her first expedition in 1997 in the Republic of Congo. She then follows the feeding behavior of reintroduced chimpanzees in the wild. But it is in Uganda, where she went for the first time in 1999, that she gets to find clues from an ape exceptional research framework. Now, more than a decade, Sabrina Krief, trails the great apes of Kibale National Park. By observing the plants ingested by the chimpanzees in therapy, she hopes to eventually identify active natural substances susceptible to fit in the composition of new drugs for humans. The hope is to put 60% of current drugs arising from substances synthesized by plants and only 5-10% of the flora has so far been studied. New research conducted since 2008 is parallel in the area of Sebitoli in the far north of the park to assess the resilience of chimpanzees to human pressure on their habitat.
Educate human beings in order to save the chimpanzees
Committed, Sabrina Krief is not confined to research, in 2006 she created the Association for the Conservation of Great Apes Project, which aims at raising awareness and educate local communities on the environment and protection of these species. Several projects have already emerged. Seven educational trunks on great apes and their habitat are circulating in Africa and France. Young Ambassadors of the great apes have been appointed and carry out regular activities to raise awareness among local people. A garden of useful plants for both men and chimpanzees was created and developed in Uganda.
French Embassy in support of Sabrina Krief
Involved alongside Sabrina Krief, the Embassy of France seeks to support research for several years in particular by offering a special showcase in its work. A documentary tracing the journey of the researcher filmed for France 2 Television as part of the "I walked on the earth" programme has so far been privately screened and will soon be distributed to a wider audience. A conference shall be organized on the occasion. Joining in the fight for the conservation of great apes, the Embassy of France in 2009 also supported the association created by Sabrina Krief under the framework of France’s Social Development Fund (SDF).
