Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K., donors | Date: Dec 29 2008 | By: jack

Hi Everyone,

As already mentioned, the main constructions meant to improve the conditions of the JACK ape orphans  are finished.

And the main group already enjoys staying in these facilities every night.

Chita building his nest (top) and Shasa ready to sleep (below)

Our friend and member of J.A.C.K., Franck CHAMBON, who specially and voluntarily had come from France in order to build the new enclosures left a few weeks ago.

 The chimps and ourselves are most grateful for all the good work he has done…. THANK YOU AGAIN, Franck!

As to finalize the construction project, the Provincial Minister of the Environment, Madame Thérèse LUKENGE, recently inaugurated the new night quarters.

The media had been invited to cover this particular event…

… and sponsors, friends, volunteers and friends of JACK were there as well.

In her speech, Madame the Minister insisted on the fact that the DRC wildlife and fauna has to be preserved and protected. Mrs Lukenge cheerfully thanked JACK  for the work achieved.

Also, Madame Thérèse Lukenge  publicly and officially handed over to the JACK Refuge the two recent chimpanzees that were seized last November by Congolese authorities (Kimo & and Santa/Mapima)  as well as the baby bushbaby confiscated two weeks ago by Lubumbashi inspectors of the Environment Department. (JACK started a bushbaby project some weeks ago and I will tell you more about this a another post)

Kimo and Santa (right) were surprised to see so many people around…The bushbaby is on the left

The bushbaby was for sale in this small litlle cage (top) and had a rope tightly fitting its left leg.

Franck and I had to carefully cut the rope to free the leg

Before ending this post, JACK wishes to thank the PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OF KATANGA as well as the following companies and organisms for having made this enclosure project come through:

The SWEDEN CHIMPANZEE TRUST , the TWYCROSS ZOO, the COLOMBUS ZOO, WILDLIFE DIRECT, a SWEDISCH SCHOOL, the MANDEVILLE DOG CLUB, BSI STEEL and PRODIMPEX sarl.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THEM !!!!

Roxane

3 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre, volunteers | Date: Dec 26 2008 | By: jack

Hello there friends of JACK!

This is the swedish volunteer Josefine writing. I have been here volunteering since the 9th of november this year (2008).

Kimo & Josefine

Ever since i were a little girl my biggest dream was of course to work with animals and if possible - wildlife. I went to the gymnasium/highschool for three years and did the course for animal care. Since then i have been working with animals in several places. Milking cows in different dairy farms, did some vulonteer work with orphan cats and i have been working as an animal keeper in Furuvik ZOO - Sweden for 2 seasons. (third is coming)

Josefine & Kimo

Kimo sleeping

Kimo (top) and “Santa” (below) who used to be called “Mapima”. Franck decided to change her name and to call her after Samantha, a friend living in Goma and who has saved two chimps (Tongo & Mapima) and sent them at J.A.C.K.

EVERYTHING is possible!

5 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, Rescued Chimps | Date: Dec 23 2008 | By: jack

Good news for today!

Little Tongo and Jane have been successfully introduced into the main group.

Just a few days ago, both chimps left their quarantine enclosure. Jane was so happy to jump into Franck’s arms for transfer. But, baby Tongo refused to quit this place that had become his for the last 3 months! None of us could take him nor even hug him - Franck had no oher choice than slightly sedating him …

When Tongo woke up, he was in a bigger place. At first, Christian stayed with him in his new enclosure …

…and then, Jane came to fetch him as if to introduce him to their new home…

It took some time before baby Tongo adjusted. He is still so small and sensitive - we really had to proceed gradually!

While being in this  intermediate enclosure, Tongo and Jane could see the group, smell and even touch the other chimps.

Chita, Seki, Shasa, Jac and the other ones also went through new experiences as it was the first time presentations were done in such way.

the group staring at the two newcomers

Thanks to Francky’s constructions, no human being has to intervene  during the introduction of newcomers. Enclosures have been built next to one another - only gates have to be locked or unlocked…

D-Day arrived for the real meeting. It took a few hours before everyone calmed down. Most of the chimps of the group were excited which scared Jane too much. As a reaction to this, the young female abandonned little baby Tongo and didn’t protect him the way we had expected.

Jane  (middle) leaving Tongo (left) behind

However, two chimps of the main group, SEKI and KINA,  helped us  a lot. SEKI played an important role: he is the one who protected JANE. She was hanging on to his back all the time and no one was allowed to approach her.

Jane hanging on Seki’s back 

Lost, Tongo didn’t know what to do.

He walked and walked through the main enclosure.

It is KINA, a young female, who couldn’t stand seeing Tongo like this. That’s why she always stayed behind him. Sometimes, she even tried to hug him, to come closer…but Tongo wanted JANE….Despite being rejected, KINA kept on having an eye on the baby one and didn’t let the others come and beat Tongo.

Kina wanting to hug and touch Tongo

At the end of the day, when all the chimps were entered in the night enclosures, SEKI immediately showed Jane AND Tongo his nest. The other chimps were not allowed to come too close.

Tongo in Seki’s nest 

Today, both Jane and Tongo have settled down. They are now accepted in the main group - especially little Tongo who is being spoiled as most of the chimps of the group do want to carry him on their back. Seki is no longer “over” protective and there are no fights anymore.

Tongo is the little one with the pale face on the right and Seki is the big chimp behind him. Kina is completely on the left and in the middle of the picture is our friend Jac

Because Tongo is the smallest chimp ever introduced, Franck and I were afraid something would happen to him. Fortunately, all went well. This experience is another step forward for JACK and encourages us a lot : Kimo and Mapima will have to be introduced as well and we will not wait untill they are two years old!!

JACK wishes You a Merry Christmas and all the best for this coming Year,

Roxane, Franck, JACK and the Chimps

5 responses so far

Category: Background, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre | Date: Dec 23 2008 | By: jack

Friends of JACK,

We do THANK  ALL  OF  YOU  for having been on our sides for the last 12 months and for having encouraged and supported us. One year ago, JACK was a small Refuge Centre that no-one had ever heard about and we are grateful to WILDLIFE DIRECT  for having given us the chance to blog and to share our experience in the DRC.

Today, our action has been spread worldwide and the JACK Refuge for seized chimpanzees has taken huge steps forward…

Thank you again for being with us,

JACK, Franck, Roxane & the Chimps

4 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, DRC, Illegal trade, J.A.C.K. | Date: Dec 18 2008 | By: jack

Hello everyone,

Just after the departure of PASA, my husband Franck was intervieuwed by Radio Okapi which is the Monuc Radio in the DRC.

I know, comments and speech are in French, but it will be full of interest for the ones who unsterstand this language as it explains how JACK started nearly three years ago and the different results JACK now has obtained in the Katanga Province.

When JACK began in 2006, an average of 3 ape infants passed through Lubumbashi to fulfil the local and international pet demands.

This baby was sold for 600 USD on a Lubumbashi market…

Today, through law enforcement and education , J.A.C.K. has managed to reduce that trade. No new chimp has been seen in Lubumbashi since October 2007!!!  Medias such as TV, radio and newspapers are very helpful and enable JACK to achieve its most important goal which is to protect endangered species….

Listen to Franck go to the following link    http://www.radiookapi.net/index.php?i=9  . Then, on that page top left in the orarnge part of the page, write “grands singes” and a new page will apprear…and click  below on  28/11/08:Okapi Action: Lubumbashi protection des grands singes

Sorry, I wished to put this shortly on a link, but I didn’t managed….

Roxane

3 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre | Date: Dec 09 2008 | By: jack

Dear All,

It’s high time I now tell you more about the constructions we have started and which are almost finished. As mentioned previously, everything had to be ready before the rains. But, in Africa, there are always - a few? - things that make you change your plans…

Before…

The chimps of the main group have recently been introduced to their new quarters.

After…..

This introduction took nearly one week as chimpanzees are very keen on routine and don’t like when things are being changed brusquely.

Guess who first came inside? Do you think it was Chita, the dominant male? Or was it Shasa, the eldest female? Maybe little Wanza dared coming in first??? Who else?

Francky opening the gate

Well, here are the first moments: Chita came in first with Maya both hitting anxiously - but happily ! - the concrete floor of that new area.

Chita coming in first followed by Maya

Others such as Seki, Jac and Zamba stayed behind. It took them some time before deciding to discover their brand new environment…

Jac staying behind with Wimbi and Zamba

Seki hesitating

Chita came to meet Francky and hugged him several times as to thank him for the good job he has done…

Yes, what Francky has achieved for the last two months is just amazing. He worked day and night to finish what he had come for: to give the chimps of our Refuge better night facilities…

Thank You, Francky! Thank you so much for all that hard work !!

Today, the 13 chimps of our main enclosure seem happy. They have more space to sleep, to play and we also built them new nests.

Thanks to the different donors who helped us building this bigger and better place for the orphans of our Refuge JACK has made a tremendous step forward !!!

Thank you to all the people assisting and believing in us,

 Roxane

5 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, Illegal trade, J.A.C.K., Rescued Chimps | Date: Dec 04 2008 | By: jack

Hi, here am I again… and, as promised yesterday, I’ll update on Tongo.

Remember, Tongo arrived in Lubumbashi last August with Faustin. Tongo was the baby chimp seized in the Virungas by ICCN.

This time, Faustin is at J.A.C.K. but with Mapima.

Faustin, Mapima and Chester Zoo vet Steve Unwinn

Faustin playing with Kimo and Mapima

Of course, Faustin couldn’t come at the Refuge without seeing his first chimp baby and both were very excited to meet after such a long time.

They looked like old friends.

Tongo is doing great now and so does Jane.

 All the vet analyses carried out by PASA were good and Tongo AND Jane will be soon introduced to the main group. This will be a particular event as Tongo will be the smallest baby we will ever introduce to the others. I believe Shasa will take care of him immediately.

This morning, Faustin left Lubumbashi leaving Tongo and Mapima. I’m sure, he’ll come back again. The war in the East has a horrible impact on wildlife and ape infants are being traded as trophies… a real desastre!!!

I’ll keep you posted,

Roxane

5 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo, DRC, J.A.C.K., Rescued Chimps | Date: Dec 03 2008 | By: jack

Hello everyone!

Yes, most of you know about the latest little baby chimp who has arrived at JACK thanks to the help of Samantha. Mapima is the baby chimpanzee that was seized in Goma. You can read more about her on http://gorilla.cd/

Mapima had a good journey with Faustin and safely arrived in Lubumbashi.

Mapima arriving at the Lubumbashi airport

She is actually very young (no canines which means she is less than 1 year old!!!) and she is the youngest and smallest chimp J.A.C.K. has ever welcomed….

As the poor little one had to adjust herself to her new environment, she was rather aggressive at the beginning. Especially with human females. Faustin was the only person who could hug her and take care of her.

Today, Mapima has been introduced to Kimo, the other baby one that arrived in November from Kinshasa, and  they are spending their quarantine together at my place because of the rainy weather… Because Faustin is due to leave tomorrow, he has already started keeping his distance from the little chimp. Josefine and one of our keepers are both now taking care of the two babies. You can read more about Kimo on Josefine’s blog

Mapima (left) and Kimo

If the power and the Internet connection are fine tomorrow, I’ll try to send you more info with an update on Tongo and Jane as well.

Mapima is the 19th chimpanzee at J.A.C.K.  Each baby represents an average of 150USD a month (food, medical assistance, staff salaries). If each of you could give at least 1 USD, you’d make the difference!!!

Thank you for them!!!

Roxane

6 responses so far