SWEET CINDY HAS GROWN UP AT SANAGA-YONG RESCUE CENTER

While Cindy is not a dominant chimpanzee and usually avoids conflict of any kind, she has a comfortable place in her social group of 23. She has a circle of female friends to whom she is very loyal. Recently, when her friend Cecile wasn’t feeling well and stayed outside in the forest at dinnertime, Cindy chose to stay out with her. It was clear to her caregivers that she really wanted to come inside with the rest of the group, but she wasn’t willing to leave Cecile. Ultimately Cindy led caregivers to Cecile, and they were able to coax her inside. Both chimps are very healthy now.

In August 2001, recently orphaned Cindy was only seven months old and near death from respiratory and intestinal infections when IDA-Africa rescued her from a truck driver passing through the East Province town of Belabo. The driver had been taking her to sell in the city, but as her condition worsened he realized she would die before he had a chance to sell her. When authorities and the assistant manager of our Sanaga-Yong Rescue Center approached the driver, he was happy to get rid of the critically sick baby who was stinking up his truck, and to be on his way. Today, thirteen years later, someone caught in the act of trafficking a baby chimpanzee would be more likely to face arrest, at least in some parts of the country.

Tragically, the illegal bushmeat trade and trafficking of live orphans still cause untold suffering throughout Central Africa. While we remain deeply committed to our fight to stop the killing and orphaning of chimpanzees, our Sanaga-Yong Rescue Center is giving many orphans a second chance to grow up happy. Thank you for the kind support that makes it possible!

Photo design courtesy of Jacques Gillon and Kimber Webb