Gombe Stream National Park

I am a warm, green forest full of tall, leafy trees. I live next to a big, sparkly lake called Lake Tanganyika in a country named Tanzania. Chirping birds sing songs in my branches, and little monkeys chatter as they swing from vine to vine. I am a special home to some very clever animals with soft, dark hair who love to play. I am Gombe Stream National Park.

One day, a long time ago on July 14th, 1960, a kind and patient visitor came to my forest. Her name was Jane. She was very quiet so she would not scare my shy chimpanzee friends. Every single day, she would sit and watch them. She saw how they played games, how they hugged each other, and what yummy fruits they liked to eat. Jane wanted to learn everything about their families.

Jane watched and waited, and then she saw something amazing. It was a big surprise. She saw one of my chimpanzees use a little stick just like a tool to get a tasty snack. No one knew they were so smart. Because of what Jane learned, everyone knew I was a very important place. In the year 1968, I became an official park to make sure my chimpanzees and all my other animal friends would always be safe and happy.

Today, I am still a happy and safe home for my chimpanzees. People come from all over the world to visit me and see the wonderful animals who live here. I am a place that reminds everyone to be kind to nature. I hope I can teach all my visitors how important it is to protect our beautiful world and all the amazing creatures in it.