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Our
new Babies |
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Two new babies behind quarantine glass,
with Dr Jane Goodall and Eugene Cussons. Photograph: Francois Theron |
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Visitors to Chimpanzee Eden risk having their hearts stolen by our latest refugees - a group of gorgeous chimp babies rescued recently from the Republic of the Sudan. Although still in quarantine, the youngsters can be viewed through glass windows. But beware - you won’t want to leave!
Their arrival followed months of talks and a drawn-out rescue mission by sanctuary MD, Eugene
Cussons, who ended up spending three long weeks in
Rumbek, Sudan, negotiating their departure.
The two females and three males, ranging in age from about 18 months to three years, are in superb condition. They were rescued as infants and then cared for in Sudan by a caregiver until they could be relocated.
They spent their first two weeks at Chimpanzee Eden in ‘insect-free’ quarantine, but have now been moved to their new quarters, a large playroom complete with swings, ropes and branches, for the remainder of their 84-day quarantine period.
“They are given food all the time to break the habit, typical of all orphans, of stuffing as much into their mouths as they can,” explains Sanctuary Manager, Phillip
Cronje.
Their diet consists mainly of fruit, boosted with milk, mealie meal and porridge. They are also given bread so that this can be used to disguise medicine when necessary. Chimps typically eat between three and five percent of their body weight per day.
Apart from being necessary to ensure that the chimps are not carrying any diseases, quarantine also gives the Sanctuary staff time to observe their behaviour and relationships. Orphan chimps can end up with behavioural problems as they have often never been disciplined by a mother.
When the State Vet lifts quarantine in August, Thomas, Nina, Zee, Charles and Dinka will be introduced to the two males, Cozy from Italy and old Joao from the Maputo Zoo in Mozambique, as well as our other two babies, Sally and
Zena. They will join them in their leafy enclosure where they will experience freedom, security and community life for the first time since they were taken from their mothers.
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©
Jane Goodall Institute South Africa |
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