Founded in 1999 by Dr. Sheri Speede, the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center (Centre Sanaga-Yong de Sauvegarde des Chimpanzés  - SYCRC) is located in the Mbargue forest of the Central Province of Cameroon near the confluence of the Sanaga and Yong rivers.

Although most of the SYRC's 59 residents arrived as orphaned infant chimpanzees, the Center’s unique focus on adult primates who were orphaned as babies and sold into captivity was conceived when Dr. Speede and Edmund Stone befriended three captive adult chimpanzees. Adult chimpanzees often require special care because of their overpowering size and strength and the extreme level of emotional and psychological trauma they have endured.

The Center's first resident chimpanzees, Jacky, Pepe, and Becky, like all of the chimpanzees at Sanaga-Yong, were orphaned as infants when their mothers were killed for the bushmeat trade. Jacky, Pepe, and Becky languished for decades in isolated cages at a resort hotel.

Within a natural forest environment at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center, Jacky, Pepe and Becky became important members of a rapidly expanding family group. They developed loving relationships and gradually recovered from the years of deprivation and neglect.

Today, with help from volunteers and staff, SYCRC is home to 62 chimpanzees ranging in age from less than six months to over 40 years. SYCRC employs 25 Cameroonians as chimpanzee caregivers, round-the-clock security guards and groundskeepers.

SYCRC has grown tremendously since its inception. With the generous support of caring individuals, IDA-Africa is making a difference for the chimpanzee and gorillas of Cameroon and Sanaga-Yong has become an intricate part of the local community.