International Primate Protection League

While living in Thailand in the 70’s, Dr. McGreal rescued four gibbons who were being kept as pets. At the time she decided to bring them to Summerville, SC, and established IPPL’s Gibbon Sanctuary.

Over the years, thousands of caring supporters around the world have enabled us to continue to rescue dozens of abused and neglected gibbons from a variety of unfortunate, sometimes horrific, backgrounds. Our gibbons have been retired from zoos, were part of roadside attractions, former pets, or spent years, even decades as subjects in research laboratories.

Without the generous support of our compassionate donors, many of these animals would have been condemned to a life of misery, or even an unnecessary and premature death. Instead, our gibbons enjoy some of the best conditions in captivity, with a variety of fresh food, indoor enclosures equipped with heat, air conditioning, and TVs, spacious outdoor enclosures, enrichment, and plenty of loving care.

Our Mission

SINCE 1973 we have worked to expose primate abuse and battled international traffickers. We also operate a sanctuary for gibbons (the smallest of the apes) in South Carolina and support primate rescue efforts worldwide, especially in countries where primates are native. Our goal is to keep these uniquely threatened animals safe from human cruelty, negligence, and exploitation, envisioning a world where all primates can thrive in their native habitats.

WE FOCUS ON:

OFFERING advisory and financial support for activities that promote the well-being of monkeys and apes, both in the U.S. and overseas

GRANTING financial assistance to primate rescue centers and grassroots advocacy groups that help protect primates and their habitat in countries where primates are native

PUBLICIZING the plight of abused primates and organizing international protest campaigns

CONDUCTING investigations of illegal international primate trafficking; and

OPERATING our South Carolina Headquarters Sanctuary for rescued gibbons who have come to us for a lifetime of compassionate care after former “careers” as laboratory subjects, discarded pets, and zoo exhibits.

DONATE

Please help our gibbons by making a donation today!

Thank You!

Protecting Primates Since 1973

Shirley McGreal founded the International Primate Protection League in 1973, and soon after launched a gibbon sanctuary in 1977. Since then, the IPPL sanctuary has been home to dozens of gibbons. Many of our early gibbons were rescued from medical research facilities, but now our gibbons come from a variety of backgrounds.