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Click
on a chimp to view profile - all pictures by
Francois Theron |
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Age:
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aprox. 11
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Rescue
Date: |
1997 |
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Ranked
Position: |
3rd ranked male |
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Nikki’s
Story: |
Nikki was rescued by the Jane Goodall Institute in 1997 from Liberia. Orphaned by the Bushmeat trade, Nikki was raised by an expatriot South African that did not quite
know how to raise a chimpanzee, so he was raised as a human infant. Nikki wore clothes, and was taught the same routines such as eating at the table
using cutlery etc. Arriving in South Africa, Nikki was only 3 years old and was fully clothed and had a suitcase with additional outfits. His owner did care very much for Nikki but it was time for Nikki to
become a chimpanzee once again. As there was no sanctuary in South Africa at that stage, the Johannesburg Zoo agreed to take care of Nikki until
the Jane Goodall Sanctuary was developed. Under the supervision of the Head Curator of the Johannesburg Zoo and now Sanctuary Manager of JGI Chimpanzee Eden, Phillip Cronje, Nikki was introduced to other chimpanzees at the zoo. Sanctuary development was delayed until March of 2006. At this time the Johannesburg zoo decided that their chimpanzee group dynamics
had changed with too many males in the group. Nikki was relocated to the sanctuary and became the first chimpanzee at the sanctuary. Since then Nikki has formed a vital part in the rehabilitation process of the adult group due to his above average intelligence and willingness to interact with the keepers. He is always the first chimpanzee to study the rehabilitation gadgets set up by JGI inside the enclosures and enjoys the challenges set by them, whether it be direct or indirect. Although he might be the most intelligent, of the adult group, he fits into 3rd position in the adult hierarchy. He never initiates conflict between himself and another adult male and has been known to treat the females a bit rough |
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| Personality: |
Intelligent, interactive and non-aggressive. Nikki is interested in
all forms of challenge, whether it be to remove artificial objects placed by rehabilitation staff or whether it be to enjoy the results of the using the gadgets successfully. |
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| Rehabilitation
Status: |
All chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat trade. Some of them have spent their entire lives in captivity and have not learnt the basic skill of being chimpanzees. Although protocols are being developed for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also rehabilitated to acquire all the skills necessary to interact socially and to survive in the African Bush.
As they progress, they are provided with larger fenced camps. The following skills are essential and a priority in the 1st stage rehabilitation process. The sanctuary indicates the response to rehabilitation from level 1 to 5. 1 Being poor and 5 being excellent. The sanctuary is in the process of developing the 2nd stage rehabilitation which will be introduced in the future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
4 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
5 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
5 |
| Tree Climbing |
5 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
5 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
5 |
| Tool use
- stones |
4 |
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| Summary: |
As the results show, Nikki has responded
as well as can be expected. Nikki spends most of his time on these challenges and has therefore shown great results. Nikki is responsible for identifying a snake in the enclosure; although he did not make the kill he
was successful in warning the rest of the group of the impending danger. The snake was killed by Amadeus. Everyone working with Nikki finds him to be a delight and a
warm personality. One will truly be entertained by his antics on the research cams and his collection of video clips. |
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| Age: |
approx.
13 |
| Rescue Date: |
1997 |
| Ranked Position: |
2nd ranked male |
| Amadeus’
story: |
As
a result of the bush meat trade Amadeus was also
orphaned in Angola and rescued by the original
mission of 1997. He grew up with Abu and Nikki
at the Johannesburg Zoo whilst waiting for the
JGI South Africa sanctuary to open its doors
which did not come until March of 2006. He was
relocated with Nikki and Abu to the sanctuary to
solve the dynamics of the Johannesburg Zoo group
and was the 3rd chimpanzee to be released into
the holding area.
Amadeus has developed in more than one way in the
sanctuary and has showed great strides in the
development of his self confidence and physical
size. Amadeus was notoriously known as an escape
artist and escaped a few times at the
Johannesburg Zoo. It was felt that he might
adapt better at the sanctuary and was moved
here. On his first release day with Abu and
Nikki into the training enclosure (chimpanzees
are subject to small enclosure with electric
fencing at lower voltage, this is to prepare
chimpanzees for their higher voltage enclosure),
he could not resist the allure presented by the
wild forest and hopped over the fence in an
awesome display of agility and strength. Now in
the training enclosure his only desire was to
pluck flowers and enjoy fruit from the guava
trees in the forest. Not displaying any danger
to keepers and sanctuary manager, Amadeus was
reunited with his friends in the training
enclosure without serious incident. This event
left not a staff member without tears in their
eyes due to the passion that these animals
harbor
for a wild environment. On a different front
Amadeus has developed physically to such an
extent that he no longer responds to Abu’s
displaying; when challenged he shows dominance
but shows no desire to lead the group. Will he
eventually take over the group? Only time will
tell. |
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| Personality: |
Amadeus
is a caring chimpanzee and truly non aggressive;
only provoked by the action of outsiders or the
displaying of other males in the group.
He shows more emotion than any other
chimpanzee at the sanctuary. |
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| Rehabilitation Status: |
All
chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have
traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat
trade. Some
of them have spent their entire lives in
captivity and have not learnt the basic skill of
being chimpanzees.
Although protocols are being developed
for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also
rehabilitated to acquire all the skills
necessary to interact socially and to survive in
the African Bush.
As they progress, they are provided with larger
fenced camps.
The following skills are essential and a
priority in the 1st stage
rehabilitation process.
The sanctuary indicates the response to
rehabilitation from level 1 to 5.
1 Being poor and 5 being excellent.
The sanctuary is in the process of
developing the 2nd stage
rehabilitation which will be introduced in the
future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
5 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
5 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
2 |
| Tree Climbing |
5 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
5 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
2 |
| Tool use
- stones |
0 |
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| Summary: |
Amadeus
shows us to what extent these primates can
exhibit emotion. Female visitors to the sanctuary are
intrigued by how he stares at them.
Amadeus has the ability to take over the
group and would be a great leader.
However he does not show ambition for
this and in general keeps a low profile.
He is showing interest in tool use and
has started to develop his skills in this area.
If you are interested to find out what a
well mannered chimpanzee is like, this is the
chimpanzee for you to adopt. |
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Age:
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approx.
43 |
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| Rescue Date: |
April 2006 |
| Ranked Position: |
Alpha Male – Infant Camp |
| Joao’s
Story: |
With
his distinctive looks, Joao is the oldest
resident at Chimpanzee Eden and could even be
the oldest in South Africa.
Joao arrived at the Maputo Zoo in
Mozambique when he was 3 years old, left behind
by a touring Circus company.
At that stage he had a companion but soon
after the war broke out in Mozambique, the war
lasted for more than 30 years and Joao saw it
from start to finish.
His companion past away falling ill to an
unknown virus leaving Joao in isolation from
another chimpanzee until April 2006 when JGI
South Africa convinced the zoo to release him to
the care of JGI Chimpanzee Eden.
Joao’s integration with other
chimpanzees was not easy; he had a smoking and
alcohol addiction which also had to be broken.
The adult group did not accept him and he
preferred to be with humans, taking every
opportunity to attempt escape.
Eventually the plan was formulated to
integrate him with the infants that spent time
adjacent to him in the quarantine.
It was a match made in heaven, Joao
preferred to be in this environment, which also
one of the rehabilitation staff going in with
him. This
ensured that Joao did not want to leave the
enclosure whilst he got used to being with other
chimpanzees.
He now enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to
the infants and with one other adult male
chimpanzee in his enclosure, Cozy. |
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| Personality: |
Joao
enjoys being a ‘granddad’ to the 2 infants
in his enclosure.
He affectionately handles the infants and
also breaks up any conflict situation that might
arise. He
still enjoys the company of his human
rehabilitator, taking his hand and leading him
on a tour of the enclosure every time he goes
in. |
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| Rehabilitation Status: |
All
chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have
traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat
trade. Some
of them have spent their entire lives in
captivity and have not learnt the basic skill of
being chimpanzees.
Although protocols are being developed
for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also
rehabilitated to acquire all the skills
necessary to interact socially and to survive in
the African Bush. As
they progress, they are provided with larger
fenced camps.
The following skills are essential and a
priority in the 1st stage
rehabilitation process.
The sanctuary indicates the response to
rehabilitation from level 1 to 5.
1 Being poor and 5 being excellent.
The sanctuary is in the process of
developing the 2nd stage
rehabilitation which will be introduced in the
future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
5 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
2 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
2 |
| Tree Climbing |
5 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
5 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
2 |
| Tool use
- stones |
n/a |
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| Summary: |
Joao
is calm chimp but ensures for plenty of
interaction inside the enclosure.
Although it is very unlikely that Joao
would ever leave Chimp Eden, he definitely
enjoys his new haven.
Joao displays the characteristics of a
true leader, taking care of the ones under his
protection and does not waste too much time on
displaying.
If you would like to see wonderful
interactions between infants and an adult
chimpanzee, than Joao is a definite chimp for
you to adopt. |
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| Age:
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approx.
11 |
| Rescue Date: |
April 2006 |
| Ranked Position: |
2nd ranking male – infant enclosure |
| Cozy’s
Story: |
Cozy was born in America and sold to an entertainer in Italy. JGI South Africa is not responsible for the rescue of European chimpanzees but felt compelled to rescue Cozy who was in a dilapidated state. Living the life of a Gipsy, his owner traveled constantly in 2 caravan vehicles, the owner drove one and his girlfriend the other. Cozy was at a very young age when his owner died suddenly, leaving his girlfriend stranded next to the road without any plan for the future. Time went past with both of them being stranded where they originally stopped the caravan. His now sole guardian worked at a night club near the location of their caravans and barely made enough money to survive. 10 years past and JGI Italy heard of the chimpanzee, JGI South Africa and Dr. Jane Goodall was informed as well and a rescue mission followed suite. Cozy was in dark isolation for the better part of his
life and the effects where visible. The mission was an urgent priority as no other sanctuary in Europe could take him at such short notice. Cozy was confined to a 1.5m by 1.5m cage for such a long time that most of his muscle mass had disappeared. Once at the sanctuary, cozy could hardly walk and had no chance of attempting to climb. A long process of rehabilitation had started and it was decided that Cozy should rather join the infants in their enclosure as he would stand no chance in the adult enclosure. Day by day his human rehabilitator persuaded him to climb a tree, slowly Cozy made progress and after 6 months he could climb any tree in the enclosure. Cozy is one of the biggest success stories of the techniques used at the sanctuary and has given this chimpanzee a life worth living for. |
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| Personality: |
Cozy
has a colorful personality, constantly entertaining
himself, visitors and his fellow chimpanzees.
He loves to interact with visitors
through the fence and enjoys being in the sun.
He does have aggressive tendencies and
outbursts when exposed to things that remind him
of his past. |
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| Rehabilitation
Status: |
All
chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have
traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat
trade. Some
of them have spent their entire lives in
captivity and have not learnt the basic skill of
being chimpanzees.
Although protocols are being developed
for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also
rehabilitated to acquire all the skills
necessary to interact socially and to survive in
the African Bush. As they progress, they are
provided with larger fenced camps.
The following skills are essential and a
priority in the 1st stage
rehabilitation process.
The sanctuary indicates the response to
rehabilitation from level 1 to 5.
1 Being poor and 5 being excellent.
The sanctuary is in the process of
developing the 2nd stage
rehabilitation which will be introduced in the
future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
3 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
0 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
4 |
| Tree Climbing |
3 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
1 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
0 |
| Tool use
- stones |
n/a |
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| Summary: |
Cozy’s
rehabilitation says it all;
he had been deprived of any chance to
develop his skill whilst he was growing up and
therefore the sanctuary will have to keep him in
a constant rehabilitation program until he has
the necessary skills to be a chimpanzee.
However, Cozy is the star at the
sanctuary and people come from far away to see
him, he always attempts to interact and is known
for having hilarious facial expressions.
Cozy is sure to make you laugh with his
antics. |
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| Age: |
approx.
13 |
| Rescue Date: |
October 2006 |
| Ranked Position: |
female - adult enclosure |
| Lika’s
Story: |
Also
an orphan of the bush meat trade, Lika was
rescued from Luanda; Angola.
When we first found Lika we were shocked
that an animal living in such conditions could
survive for so long.
She was kept in a dark brick cage with
dimensions barely acceding 4 square meters.
Although the owner cared for her deeply,
he had nowhere to send her as Angola itself
only emerged from a long term civil war
recently.
She clearly displayed signs of
stereotypical behavior, shaking her head and
walking up and down the front of the cage.
Everyone involved knew that if she was
not rescued soon that she would not survive due
to the sanitary conditions as well as due to the
exhaust fumes that where venting on her cage.
It’s sad to say that it took JGI South African
more than 2 years to negotiate their freedoms
and in October 2006 she was rescued with 4 other
chimpanzees.
Lika had trouble adjusting to other
chimpanzees, during integrations processes she
would hide away discouraging contact with
other chimpanzees.
It took 5 months for the sanctuary manager to
successfully integrate Lika into the adult chimpanzee
group and the results have been worth the wait.
Lika has lost all signs of her
stereotypical behavior and she eventually shed
her solitary behavior and started engaging in
social behavior with her fellow chimpanzees.
All chimpanzees are subject to a routine
which includes entering the sleeping quarters at
4 pm each day.
Lika on the other hand enjoyed her
freedom so much that she refused to come in and
only after 2 weeks did she accept the routine
and enjoyed the comforts of the indoor sleeping
quarters. |
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| Personality: |
Lika
is very insecure and is easily intimidated by
the other chimps in her group.
She keeps to herself most of the day but
has recently started with socializing behavior.
She is non-aggressive and highly
intelligent. |
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| Rehabilitation
Status: |
All
chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have
traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat
trade. Some
of them have spent their entire lives in
captivity and have not learnt the basic skill of
being chimpanzees.
Although protocols are being developed
for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also
rehabilitated to acquire all the skills
necessary to interact socially and to survive in
the African Bush.
As they progress, they are provided with larger
fenced camps.
The following skills are essential and a
priority in the 1st stage
rehabilitation process.
The sanctuary indicates the response to
rehabilitation from level 1 to 5.
1 Being poor and 5 being excellent.
The sanctuary is in the process of
developing the 2nd stage
rehabilitation which will be introduced in the
future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
5 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
5 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
4 |
| Tree Climbing |
5 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
5 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
4 |
| Tool use
- stones |
5 |
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| Summary: |
Lika
has made a remarkable recovery and the sanctuary
manager is confident that she will keep
progressing in her behavior. |
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| Age: |
approx.
3 |
| Rescue Date: |
July 2006 |
| Ranked Position: |
Infant female |
| Sally’s
Story: |
Sally was first spotted in early 2005 at a beach front restaurant in Luanda Angola. The South African expatriate workers that eventually took care of her explained that she was kept in a small cage and that she was absolute terrified of being left alone. They convinced the owners of the restaurant to part with her and she spent more than a 1 and a half
years living in a small housing development, isolated from the harsh living conditions that the people of Luanda were enduring on a daily basis. It’s due to the good care that she received from the compassionate expatriates that the trauma of her past was limited. Fortunately JGI South Africa was able to relocate her to the JGI Chimpanzee Eden sanctuary in April 2006. Due to Sally not fearing humans, it has made it
a lot easier for the rehabilitators to teach her the necessary skills that her mother would have done in the wild. She listens and concentrates intently when the rehabilitators teach her the tool making and hydrating techniques, and has had better results than any of the other chimpanzees in the infant enclosure. |
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| Personality: |
She
still appreciates human contact but interacts
with the other chimpanzees all day long.
She is non-aggressive and only acts
aggressively when provoked by the other infant,
Zeena. |
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| Rehabilitation
Status: |
All
chimpanzees at JGI Chimpanzee Eden have
traumatic pasts being orphaned by the bush meat
trade.
Some of them have spent their entire
lives in captivity and have not learnt the basic
skill of being chimpanzees.
Although protocols are being developed
for wild re-introduction, chimpanzees are also
rehabilitated to acquire all the skills
necessary to interact socially and to survive in
the African Bush. As
they progress, they are provided with larger
fenced camps.
The following skills are essential and a
priority in the 1st stage
rehabilitation process.
The sanctuary indicates the response to
rehabilitation from level 1 to 5.
1 Being poor and 5 being excellent.
The sanctuary is in the process of
developing the 2nd stage
rehabilitation which will be introduced in the
future enclosures. |
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| Acceptance by group |
4 |
| Social interaction – Grooming |
1 |
| Social interaction –
Playing |
3 |
| Tree Climbing |
5 |
| Threat identification – snakes, spiders, scorpions etc. |
2 |
| Foraging |
5 |
| Tool use
- sticks |
0 |
| Tool use
- stones |
n/a |
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| Summary: |
Sally
has exceptional results for an infant
chimpanzee, primarily due to her interaction with
the rehabilitation staff.
Sally is one of the primary candidates
for full rehabilitation.
She is undoubtedly the most famous
chimpanzee at the sanctuary due to the difficult
and frustrating rescue effort to get her to
safety. |
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