J.A.C.K.

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo - DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre, Rescued Chimps | Date: Aug 27 2009 | By: jack

Hi again,

Today was Maïka’s 3rd day of tough treatment and she started drinking and eating. Her eyes are bright and it seems she pays more attention to things around her. I can now say Maïka has come out of that lethargic state she had been in for the last week and we all feel very happy about it!

I put a sock and a small bandage to protect the catheter

The fever seems to be gone and Maïka is more and more active. This afternoon she even did a few steps to go to the fridge asking for some yogurt (her favorite dish!). Santa and Kimo were surprised to see her walking in the kitchen and came to hug her at once.

Santa (left),  Maïka and Kimo (right)

The catheter was removed from Maïka’s  arm as intravenous injections will be replaced by intramuscular ones. No more drips! No more pain in the veins! You see in Maïka’s  eyes how relieved she feels without that needle in her arm!!!

Santa is Maîka’s best friend. Both are the very little ones who nearly died a few days ago…

One more thing to share with you today: look at the picture below. Kimo was having inhalations for his cough and Santa wanted to switch off the inhalator by pulling out the plug.

I love the way Santa looks at me as if she were saying “pleeeeaaase, can I  have that plug out???”

Roxane

11 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo - DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre | Date: Aug 26 2009 | By: jack

Dear All,

Last week was extremely tough!

Yes, some of you know already that we at J.A.C.K. have been struggling against a very contagious disease. Chimps simply collapsed of high fever, cough, wheeze and shortness of breath.

The vet diagnosed bronchiolitis which is the inflammation of the bronchioles (the smallest air passages of the lungs). Some of the young ones of the main group were found lying on the floor, conscious but too weak to move…

This was the case of Zamba, Seki and Jane who have been isolated for very particular medication and observation as the virus was at its highest level. They are still in quarantine but doing a lot better now!

Seki (top) and with Mama Maguy (below)

But the bronchiolitis has had devastating  effects on 3 of the little baby ones : Santa, Kimo and Maïka.   We haven’t yet any nursery at the Refuge and because I wanted to take care of the 3 babies myself day and night, these were moved to my house.

 Inhalation for Santa

At first, it was Santa who worried us most. Hot and completely lethargic, she had awful respiratory problems. Santa is allergic to some drugs and she is a fragile chimp. The vet even believes she has asthma. And because of all these weaknesses, this virus had an extremely bad impact on her. We started inhalations and had to put drips  for re-hydration.

Also, because her fever was too high, we were afraid the virus would cause other kinds of infections… So, in addition, Santa had antibiotics.

Today, little Santa has recovered and is playing in the garden with her friend Kimo who has recovered too. He had high fever and a bad cough that prevented him from eating for several days… He has lost too much weight! Medication for them is still going on.

Papa Augustin has been assisting me during day with the babies

Santa (left) and Kimo (right) having just recovered. They lost quite some weight…

Kimo

But, tonight,  the case of Maïka is still worrying us a lot.

Baby Maïka

Remember, Maïka is the youngest baby at J.A.C.K. She had bronchitis last month when I was away and had fevers too. The new virus on her weakened lungs developed into a new disease that has been confirmed through chest X-rays: pneumonia.

So, for the last 2 days, Maïka has had heavy medication: intravenous injections of antibiotics and drips to prevent de-hydration. Although fever has slowly gone down, Maïka is still very weak and we really hope this treatment is the best and that it will save her…

At the Refuge, the epidemic seems to be under control. For the last 3 days, no new cases have been found and we at J.A.C.K. really cross our fingers!! The weather at this period of the year should be warmer (it’s dry season = winter) but the changes in temperatures are surprisingly important (chilly at night/hot during day). End of October rains should start and we all hope flu won’t come back again ! 

I’ll update very soon,

Thank You,

Roxane

7 responses so far

Category: Chimpanzee, Congo - DRC, J.A.C.K., Refuge Centre, Rescued Chimps | Date: Aug 17 2009 | By: jack

Hi Everyone, 

Yes, I haven’t been writing much these days and so sorry about this.

Franck and I have travelled in France, Belgium and Sweden in order to present our NGO and to attend several lectures and meetings.

I am already preparing different blogs about what happened this last month and because it takes quite a lot of time to go through all the pictures I will first  update on some chimps you know of our group.

Remember, end of June, a strong male called Mwisho had been introduced together with Coco. In about one month time, both have settled in very well especially Mwisho who is now slowly taking  over the dominance of the group.

Introduction of Mwisho last June

Chita had been the oldest and biggest male we have started with after the fire. Every new comer had to be approved by Chita and Chita was running the group as a ‘’very cool good chap”. He was extremely pacific and maybe too pacific as to run the group with power and strength!

Chita

Since Mwisho’s arrival, a lot of things have changed. The attitude of the whole group is completely different from before as now the ‘boss’ (=Mwisho) is feared by respect. Wherever Mwisho goes, the others open him the path and follow him! Amazing!

Mwisho (right)

He’s the one who is eating first and once finished, he checks whether Tongo has had something to eat.

Tongo is staying close to Mwisho

As mentioned previously, Mwisho has also become Tongo’s main protector. Being still the youngest baby of the group, feeding time for Tongo was “struggle” time as some older members of the group used to steal his food from him.

Baby Tongo

Today, no one dares doing this again.

Mwisho stands close to Tongo and collects food for the young baby.

At night, the big male takes the baby on his back and brings the little one in his nest. If Tongo decides to leave the nest and to have a walk, Mwisho starts crying and takes him back in his arms…

But Mwisho isn’t the only one who wants to cuddle Tongo. Shasa, Wimbi, Kina, Kala, Jane, Seki, …

Shasa carrying Tongo

Tongo doesn’t have to walk a lot – there’s always someone wishing to carry him on his/her back…. I think he is very spoiled and loved.

Tongo in Wimbi’s arms

The following pictures are lovely! I like the way Tongo and Kala (right)  are demanding for a big hug….

I’ll come back soon and sorry again for this delay in posting,

Roxane

10 responses so far