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As 2007 draws to a rapid close I am thrilled to report that JGI Chimpanzee Eden now provides safe haven to 17 chimpanzees in its two forested enclosures. In addition, another chimp rescued recently from Angola has begun her stint in quarantine and we are hoping to have rescued two more youngsters from Angola by the time you read this.
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Photograph by Francois Theron |
None of this would have been possible without the dedication of the JGI SA team, the Cussons family, and a host of others who provide valuable services, funding, time and support. My sincere thanks to you all.
We are starting to get some great media coverage for the Sanctuary. The 50/50 series on SABC 2 this year was wonderful. And watch out for the Africa Wild spread in February. We are not sure when we will see the 13-part series on JGI Chimpanzee Eden currently being filmed by Triosphere, for the Discovery Channel. It will be screened in the US from February, and we hope we do not have to wait too long to see it on DSTV.
Other highlights of 2007 include Dr Jane Goodall’s visit in May/June, and the growth of JGI Roots & Shoots in Mpumalanga and Gauteng. We value our new partnership with Denis Creighton of KDR Travel who is doing such sterling work in Soweto and Lehae.
There’s much to look forward to in 2008. We already have several chimp rescues planned and will continue our work to identify a suitable, safe habitat - in a country where chimps occur naturally - into which we will eventually be able to reintroduce those that meet all the criteria for release.
Sue Slotar
Executive director
Jane Goodall Institute South Africa |
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