With a heavy heart we announce the death of Augusta. Augie as we fondly call her, was the oldest resident at TCS. She was about 25 years old.
I first met Augie in the early 90’s. She was in a pathetic situation. Owned by a mad soldier she was constantly abused and drugged. She was on valium every day to keep her calm and was chained by the neck in a cage where she couldn’t stand or stretch. With much difficulty we rescued Augie in 1993 and she had a new beginning at my home. By then we had a few rescued chimps at home and just seeing them gave her some assurance until in 1996 Augie moved to TCS as part of the founder members. Augusta quickly gained in confidence and developed into a strong personality, not giving a damn about the rest of us and always wanting to be in command. She became the Queen of Tacugama.
Integrating our queen with other chimps was almost impossible, she just didn’t trust anyone, perhaps the 15 years of hell in the hands of humans left a permanent scar. Only when she was introduced to Gorilla, a young male about 8 years younger than her, did she settle down. They had a wonderful time together and Augie became calm enough to allow us to introduce a couple more chimps to her group. Her death was sudden. She seemed fine on the previous day, and alerted by the strange behavior of the rest of her group we entered her enclosure the next day and found her curled up dead on the ground. Doctor Rosa obviously carried out a post-morten. Augie did not have any injuries but we were alarmed by the amount of fat deposits all over her internal organs, perhaps she had a heart attack. We have sent tissue samples to Germany to carry out further tests, especially for EMCV, as we have lost a few chimps to this rodent-borne virus. We are considering vaccinating all of our chimps against EMCV, but trials on chimps are limited so we are talking to the experts to find out more and to find the funds to purchase the vaccine. I knew her for sixteen years and she is part of my family. It was so sad for me to see Augie go, she did not give a damn about me but we all loved her, I always called her my WILDWIFE! May her soul rest in perfect peace.
19 Comments posted on "Augusta Passes Away"
Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL on April 13th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Bala, I’m so very sorry for your loss of your “Augie”, your special girl. What a terrible life she had before you rescued her…you gave her hope and a loving home. These creatures are so perceptive and sensitive, I think you had a place in her heart. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to everyone for giving Augusta the love and care she needed. We pray the results will be negative for this virus. God bless you, Augie…
Annie on April 13th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Look at the life you guys provided for her …she at least had some good years! RIP Auggie……she seemed she died peacefully..thans for all you did for her!
Annie on April 13th, 2008 at 8:26 am
I can’t write today…I meant it seems like she died peacefully…thanks for all you did to give her a decent life!
Lisa, California on April 13th, 2008 at 9:17 am
Your wildwife was very beautiful. You guys are like angels sent straight from heaven to these chimps that you have rescued and given a better life. Augie was able to live out the rest of her days climbing trees and making friends with other chimps. I am sure she will rest in perfect peace because of that. You gusy are the best. Lisa
Dana Phoenix Arizona on April 13th, 2008 at 10:50 am
My heart goes out to you Bala and others at the Sanctuary for the loss of Augie, I know she will greatly be missed.
Virginia E. on April 13th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
I am very very sorry for your loss.
Paula on April 13th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Bala I’m so sorry to hear this sad news. I hope you find out what killed her and are able to ensure that it does not happen to other members of the sanctuary. Out of curiosity, whey you say the other chimps were behaving strangely, how were they behaving?
Lucia Cristiana, Brazil on April 13th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Bala, I am so sad for Augusta’s death. She seemed so calm… Indeed we know that she was happy in yours sweet and competent hands. I know that God will keep her beautiful soul in eternal peace.
Wanda, Atlanta on April 14th, 2008 at 6:58 am
I guess 15 years of being drugged and feeding her who knows what by humans probably took a lot out of her and it just caught up as she got older - if it is the roden virus please let us know if funds are needed to finance the cost — we will rally I am sure–
Wanda, Atlanta on April 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
sorry “rodent virus”
F. J. Pechir on April 14th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Very, very sorry for the death of Augusta. It is always so sad when things like this happen…
Christine C. on April 14th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Bala — I am so sorry to hear about Augusta…she was certainly a beauty and quite an inspiration as well. She was a pretty old girl, so maybe old age took her hand and has led her to a place even more wonderful(if that is possible!) than Tacugama.
Krishna, New York City on April 15th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Very sad to know about Augie.. I have known her ever since Bala brought her home 16 years ago. She was unique and strong. I see her every few months I visit Freetown and she gives me the same look (like… “you don’t matter”), that makes me feel happy, coz, it means she remembers me. We always wanted to be in her good books as she was big and strong. Sad to know I am not going to see her in my next trip.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil on April 16th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Paypal had problems with donations past mounth. So I just sent $100 toward to little Gaura and our baby chimps. Paypal seems working well now, I hope.
Bala on April 17th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Thank you to all of you for being with us in spirit. It certainly helps.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil on April 17th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Thank you dear friend Bala for your amazing work. Thanks again.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil on April 18th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Bala,
Jane Dewar on April 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 am
Dearest Balalaaa … Poor, sweet Augusta … I remember sitting next to her and her boys, including GORILLA, of course, and thinking what a great lady she was …What a lovely face and feisty personality. Every death of our beloved friends is like a chip taken out of our hearts - big hugs to you all from your gorilla friends at Gorilla Haven … Much love, Jane
Diane and Syd Marcus, G.G., Chicago on May 18th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Bala, Post a comment
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Bala Amarasekaran abandoned his original career as an accountant to establish Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in 1995. Together with the Government of Sierra Leone, he is working to secure the welfare and future of chimpanzees in Sierra Leone. 
