Hi Everyone,

If I maintain the chronology of J.A.C.K. story, the next theme to speak about that comes into my mind is ANGELINE.

Angeline is the first surrogate mother we had just after the fire. Before the tragedy, two young men had been in charge of the babies during day but decided to stop working when JAK and TOUZO died.

Angeline with Bachi (left) and Shasa (right)

Angeline  playing with the chimpanzee babies
 

Angeline is a young mother (two kids). Having studied Biology at Lubumbashi University, Angeline has always had interest in Nature and Wildlife. From the day she had been introduced to CHITA, BACHI and SHASA, her feelings have grown SO strong towards the chimp orphans that she has ever since  been calling them “my children”.

Most of the very little ones like to hang on her back

Franck and I got really impressed by her. Angeline is the kind of person with a very good heart and has always been ready to do anything for the chimpanzee babies. Climbing trees, rolling with them in the grass, singing lullabies are attitudes very natural and full of sense to her.

Angeline bathing ZAMBA with little DOGUY on her back

Also, because she knows them all very well, she can immediately see when there’s something wrong . I remember, one day, she told me Chita (the dominant male) wasn’t in good condition. After having checked the young chimp thouroughly, and having found no particular sign of illness, I decided to wait before calling the vet.
 

The next day, Chita had fever, his right hand was terribly swollen and he couldn’t use it anymore. It appeared to be full of infection due to a worm located inside the skin. This is very common here: a particular fly, the tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga), lays its eggs on your clothes and if you don’t iron properly, eggs enter in your skin and generate little whitish larvaes eating your flesh. Of course, it’s awfully soar and a human can immediately feel something’s wrong. But, a chimp can’t speak and if not seen on time, this disease can take extreme proportions. The scientific name is Furunculosis myasis caused by the Cayor worm.

Chita’s hand was soar and terribly swollen

Chita walked with his left hand lifted

Chita’s hand was full of infection

Our little orphans get blankets at night, especially during dry season (= our winter). Chita loves to wrap himself up in sheets, can’t sleep without his blanket and very often steals the others’. A blanket problably hadn’t been ironed properly causing Chita so much pain and, since then, blankets are bleached, boiled and ironed on both sides every day.

Chita loves blankets

Chita at the very beginning. He now has become the alpha male of the group
 

Angeline is also in charge of the kitchen. She’s the one I trained to cut the food and to prepare the meals for the babies. She knows exactly the preferences of each baby and organises every meal with a lot of care and attention.

Preparing food for the little ones
 

Today, Angeline has been working with us for about 1 1/2 year. The chimps of the refuge just love her and her surname is most appropriate as Angeline is really an “angel” for them. Thank you so much, Angeline, for your love and your devotion!

All the chimps do love Angeline
 

JACK thanks Kevin for his monthly donation (10$) received end of February. And thanks to all readers, whatever their language, whatever their nationality.

Roxane, Franck and the Chimps

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