J.A.C.K.

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K. | Date: Oct 16 2008 | By: jack

Friends of Jack,

We’re still very , very busy with the construction of the new enclosures and we hope the works will end soon. J.A.C.K. is trying to get extra funds in order to finish everything as the kind donation we’ve received from the Sweden Chimpanzee Trust isn’t enough. Prices have increased so much in the last few weeks and because the DRC doesn’t produce any steel nor cement, everything has to be imported either from Zambia or from South Africa…

It has rained already a few times, which is good as, remember, I’ve told you this year the heat was unbearable!

Last week, our friend “Francky” (the one who has come from France to build the night facilities of the chimps)  got terribly sick. He actually had his first malaria and was completely down. So, the building programme had to be slowed down for a while.

We also have improved the playground of the main enclosure sothat our little friends can increase their strength, devellop their muscles.

It took us quite some time to fix a few things

but the chimps apparently fully enjoy their new playground.

Especially Shasa who seems the be “flying” from one game to another as her arms  and legs are soooo long !!!

As for Tongo and Jane, they are doing great. Both are finishing their treatments today and new samples will be taken to check everything. I really cross my fingers and will keep you posted !!!

Roxane

7 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K., Rescued Chimps | Date: Oct 07 2008 | By: jack

Hi everyone,

In addition to the heat and to all that work we’ve recently started, we have  to keep an eye on Jane and little Tongo.

Yes, last week, Jane got very bad and screamed of pain. She didn’t eat nor drink any more. She  had lost all her energy.

The way Jane cried I thought at the begining she had appendicitis but after several analysis, the lab detected strongyloides stercoralis in Jane’s stools which is a human parasitic roundworm. Harmless , it usually affects children here in Central Africa and is very hard to get rid of it!

And, because Jane shares the same place as Tongo, both had to start the same  treatment. They both have to be checked regularly.

Today, treatment is still going on and the two babies are doing fine. Jane is now very active,eating well and is sometimes very naughty with Tongo but he has shown her his teeth already and can really defend himself.

Tongo and Jane have  been with us for more than a month and we do hope they’ll get rid of these worms very rapidly.

Roxane

9 responses so far

Category: Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K. | Date: Oct 02 2008 | By: jack

Friends of JACK,

I don’t know what the weather is like where you live, but I can tell you that Southern DRC is sweating a lot these days because of the heat (49°C/120°F at some places) ! Even old Congolese people testify they’ve never known such terrible weather. And , imagine what the chimps must suffer with their thick fur… awful!

Chita and Shasa sunbathing after a cool bath

Hopefully, some of the babies chimpanzees of JACK have discovered new water games and some even start to bath just like Shasa does. Have a look at the following pictures and you’ll understand more…

Shasa bathing

Chita (middle) playing with water: he hated water !!!

Seki having a lot of fun in his blue basin

Rains will come by the end of October and will actually be of great relief ! And, maybe, it’ll rain before because the heat is sooooooo horrible!

Roxane

7 responses so far