The next generation

In case this is my last post I am going to be gratuitous with the pictures of these guys. Even though tchimpounga is replete with apes, there is still a huge demand for places where infants who are rescued from the bushmeat or pet trade can be safely relocated. A lot of times these little guys end up in zoos, which is where 6 young chimps were living before they arrived at tchimpounga. Because there is literally no room for them they are only here for a short period before they will be relocated to a nursery nearby a potential wild release site.

The oldest 4 are a really rambunctious, and slightly aggressive group. Its good...it bodes well for their chances in the wild. Here they are making off with a treat they stole from their caretaker, jean aime.

sweet success is shared high above:

compared to a lot of the other babies these guys are not so...ugh....pretty...i guess.

And here is lola, who until about 4 days ago was the newest chimp on site. She is still in quaratine where Godaline looks after her. Her name is in honor of the bonobo sanctuary in DRC.

As far as looks go, Lola is considerably easier on the eyes than the other crew...in fact, she's probably one of the most beautiful chimps I've ever seen.

And just a few days ago, two more infants arrived with Debbie, who rescued them from Brazzaville. Both were loaded with parasites and not doing well at all.


The older of the two has improved considerably and is beginning to act like a healthy chimpanzee baby.



Initially the babies are given lots and lots of motherly contact, to help them through these toughest days.

Its really completely heartbreaking to see a face like this and imagine how this poor baby was stripped from his mom, after she was shot and killed in the wild. Fortunately he was rescued although if he hadn't been taken to tchimpounga he almost certainly would have died within the week. His intestinal tract is completely stripped of its flora and hes been on IV fluids to maintain his health in the last few days. Today things are finally looking a little better for him.


And because its too sad to end a post like that, I'm throwing in one more picture of my other friends out here, who I will also miss in the coming year.