History

Joao and a female were circus chimps in Mozambique and were given to the Maputo Zoo when they were still young. Unfortunately, Joao’s companion died and before the zoo could arrange for another chimpanzee, the war broke out. Subsequently, Joao lived in social isolation for about 45 years. He learnt to communicate with a troop of yellow baboons in the enclosure next door. Kind people of the local community fed and looked after Joao during his stay at the zoo. He arrived at the sanctuary in 2006.