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J.A.C.K. stands for Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga – Young Confiscated Animals in Katanga . It is a self-funded NGO set up by Franck and I in 2006 in Lubumbashi , capital of the Southern Congolese province of Katanga .
DRC & Katanga What you must know before I start telling you our story is that DRC had ratified CITES agreements protecting Great Apes in 1976 and that, since then, nothing has been done to protect Chimpanzees throughout Katanga .
Chimps for sale on a market (2006) For years, we have seen babies used as pets in expatriate families, and we have witnessed these poor little ones being sold for small change on the streets of Lubumbashi .
Chimp for sale, 1995 Over the past 13 years, Franck has recorded alarming observations of ape infants arriving in Lubumbashi for the local ‘pet’ demand or heading for Zambia and South Africa for international trade. In 1995, Franck asked worldwide wildlife conservation institutions to do something. But, the answer was: ”DRC (former Zaïre) is a dangerous country: due to its political unrest, no action can be taken”. It was clear that nobody wanted to help nor to be involved.
Chimp for sale, 1996 Franck’s informal report emphasized two main appalling facts which, unfortunately, are still valid today: (1) Per month, about 3 babies are passing through Lubumbashi . If you keep in mind that an estimated 10 animals die for every baby taken, an average of 30 chimpanzees die per month and over 400 are lost from the wild every year… Over the ten year period since records began, therefore, the traffic through Lubumbashi alone accounts for in excess of 4000 chimpanzees lost…
Baby chimpanzee for sale at Kindu market (2) Poachers do capture young infants on demand. People “ordering” young chimpanzees are expatriates, but also members of the Congolese Army and other “high ranking” Congolese who use their uniforms or their power to detain, smuggle and sell little chimpanzees.
Beaten up, hardly fed and died as authorities couldn’t seize him; this poor little one belonged to a Congolese soldier. It is not in the local mentality to protect wildlife. Most of the country is underfed and eats what can be eaten. A good example of this can be seen in their Swahili language: the word for “wildlife” (“nyama ”) is the same word used for “meat”. Great Apes are a valuable dish in Northern and Western DRC , and also in the North of Katanga.
Bushmeat People here just ignore that Chimpanzees and Great Apes are protected and continue their ancestral habits of hunting and killing these wonderful animals. One Congolese tribe believes that if you cook and crush the bones of an ape, the child who will drink this powder will be as strong as the chimpanzee that was assassinated…. Local beliefs are still very strong, mainly in the forests, and do play a part in the Great Ape extinction.
Bushmeat So, Franck and I couldn’t stay observing and see all these horrible things happen here in Lubumbashi. We wanted to do something to help Great Apes. Therefore, our Chimpanzee Refuge Centre was created in 2006 and the NGO J.A.C.K. now exists to facilitate wildlife confiscations by the authorities through providing a safe place for the orphans to live for the time being. Another post is coming soon about the way we really started, as here, you’ll see, life can sometimes be very tough! J.A.C.K. Dear Theresa, thank you so much for your prayers and for your donation (100$). More details on Jac and the other 12 orphans will be posted soon. Zamba & Doguy
19 Comments posted on "Illegal Chimpanzee Traffic Through Katanga"
THERESA SISKIND on January 6th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Roxane, I mourn for these chimps as I do for the gorillas and bonobos. Thank you for sharing your story of how JACK came about. Truly, amazing! I can only imagine the obstacles you and Franck incurred and continue todeal with. I wrestle with the concept of how to make people care about wildlife. Apathy is something akin to evil. Roxane, I would like to wire a donation of $1000.00 to JACK. Recently, I wired funds to the Limbe Wildlife Center in Cameroon. My pay pal account has locked me out due to my account limit. Please email me at siskind8@msn.com
Lisa, California on January 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Yes, I mourn for these precious creatures as well. Education is the key and somehow making these people change or refocus their beliefs and realize that their lives and livelihoods will be far better off if these animals are alive, rather than dead. If this keeps up, these animals will be gone, and then what? I like what Lola Ya Bonobo is doing with regards the sanctuary they are establishing, in asking the local people to act as custodians to the bonobos that will eventually be within that sanctuary. It changes the idea and now has the local people acting as protectors of the bonobos. This is a good thing. I hope that someday on this big wonderful earth, man and wildlife can live in harmony. Lisa
Lucia Cristiana, Brazil on January 6th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Hello Roxane and Franck,
Lucia Cristiana, Brazil on January 6th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
You don’t imagine how much I want to go to Africa and hug and protect these precious creatures: chimps and gorillas. One day I will go.
cathy-california on January 7th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Your pictures are more disturbing than I can possibly explain in words. Is there no way to enlist the help of some of the local people in protecting these animals? I realize that you do not want to be viewed as “paying” for confiscated chimps, but if several of us were able to help fund some kind of operation that allows you to train more of the local people, would it be something to consider? When you see these animals being sold, do you or some other agency confiscate them on the spot? Since it is illegal to sell them, why are they not being rounded up and taken by JACK on a regular basis? Is it too unsafe or is there some other reason? Thank you for devoting your lives to this worthy cause.
Wanda, Atlanta on January 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Are you seeing any decrease at all in the black market — is there any progress — is there any hope — you began in 2006 which I admit is recent - but is anything coming along well — you probably can’t manage them all for space, money, food I imagine!
THERESA SISKIND on January 7th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Dear Roxane and Franck, I wired the money an hour ago around 1015 am EST; the transfer was difficult because of 2 transfers. The total amt. for 1100 to cover any expenses. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it will get to you! My bank will notify me of any problems with the transfer itself. God bless you guys and those precious chimps…
F. J. PECHIR on January 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Thank you for the wonderful job you are doing there… The bushmeat trade is another of the very big ploblemns that Africa faces today, but without the help from institutions like yours this barbaric and cruel acts could be much worst. Is my hope that you can continue with your efforts to save these marvellous babies… keep going.
F. J. PECHIR on January 7th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Well, I´m just distracted today…I means “problems”
Lucia Cristiana, Brazil on January 12th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I read about fight in Lubumbashi, capital of the Southern Congolese province of Katanga exactly where you are. God protect you and the orphaned little chimps. Please update us if and when possible. This situation is heartbreaking.
J.A.C.K. on January 12th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Dear All,
J.A.C.K. on January 12th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
As to answer to Cathy: J.A.C.K. is an NGO and doesn’t have the power to seize protected species. J.A.C.K. assists local authorities and helps them in taking their responsibilities. Laws must be respected, applied to and the authorities are the only ones entitled to carry out seizures. J.A.C.K. can’t do so!
J.A.C.K. on January 12th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
To Wanda: Yes, J.A.C.K. is still a young NGO, but today, it already plays an important role in law enforcement. Let me give you an example: if authorities confiscate the skin of a leopard, the animal is dead; the skin is either stored or burnt. But, what if a living animal is seized? If it is a chimp, it is now handed over to J.A.C.K as we’re partners providing a refuge center. Awareness is really important and authorities must be trained as well. Laws on wildlife are simply ignored and therefore, in some way, J.A.C.K. has brought a few changes. Today, people smuggling chimps know they’ll be in trouble if caught with an ape. So, although we started only 20 months ago, we can say that things have “slightly” progressed.
J.A.C.K. on January 12th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Dear Lucia Cristiana, thanks for enquiring about us in Lubumbash. But, please, don’t worry: everything is fine! We had demonstrations yesterday, but no fights!
THERESA SISKIND on January 12th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Roxane, I’m praying for the little sick chimp, I hope this little baby pulls through.
cathy-california on January 19th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Any word on your sick baby chimp? I know you are incredibly busy, but is no news necessarily good news? Thanks.
Hannah Marie on March 7th, 2008 at 10:06 am
this website helped me with my research paper. I showed the pictures of the baby chimps to my teacher and my class, it melted their hearts. Thank you =]
george murphy on March 16th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Dear People I saw your pictures,read the stories and can’t describe the feelings one gets when one hears firsthand the abuses some of Gods’ creatures must endure.Isuppose, due to the extreme poverty a great deal of the locals are condemned to that they do whatever it takes to feed their children and stay alive.It is an all-around tragedy.Education is the only long-term solution,to save the chimps and to allow the people to rise out of the poverty they’re born into.Unless we break the cycle,that has existed for years;then nothing will change for the people who need the money and the chimps will vanish for good.I realize that you still need money to feed these little chimps and will send what I can at the end of the month In the mean-time God be with you and watch out for you and your little orphans.I am going to educate as many friends as I can to see if I can’t get you some immediate funds to keep your chimps alive and healthy.Please let me know if there are any things I could possibly send for the babies that you can’t get there (pennicillin,other drugs, toys for the little ones, blankets,etc)Post on this site to let me know the best way to help out,and to send and correspond.(or is this it)
COCO: a new chimp at JACK | J.A.C.K on April 28th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
[…] like most of the seized orphan chimps of JACK, Coco was seen for the first time by authorities here in Lubumbashi. Hardly fed, very sick, the […] Post a comment
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