Another rescue from cruel captivity
Category: Tacugama | Date: Aug 18 2008 | By: tacugama
Thursday night brought Tacugama the sad arrival of yet another chimp from the Gola Forest area. Some of the photos in this blog are not for the squeamish, sorry. He was found captive in a village in South East Sierra Leone, but again the circumstances of his capture are unclear as the villagers were unwilling to say much. When news of his existence spread, Gola Forest rangers confiscated him and drove him a long eight hours to Tacugama.
The chimp was carrying what we suspect to be a machete wound to his back and horrendous abrasion injuries to his sides as the result of metal, snare-type wire having been used to restrain him.
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It was ridiculously tight causing deep wounds
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Not surprisingly he was not in a friendly state and we quickly sedated him to carry out a thorough examination, remove the wire and treat the wounds. Getting rid of the wire was not an easy task.
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With Pastor’s help we finally managed to cut the tough wire
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With the wire off, Dr Rosa could start to treat the injuries.
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The wounds were not fresh, the stench of the infection filled the room. He must have been like this for at least a week.
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The machete wound to his back also gives cause for concern.
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Once the wounds were cleaned, he received painkilling and antibiotic jabs. The wounds will have to be kept open to try to prevent the infections developing further.
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A final clean up and examination found an older injury, a badly broken and poorly healed forefinger on his right hand but that’s the least of his worries. We were anxious as to whether he would survive the night. From his size we thought he was two years old but his teeth showed that he was twice that age.
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Friday morning saw a frightened but gently moving chimp and after a while he managed to eat a banana and take a little interest in his surroundings. He passed a quiet day, gradually building his appetite but preferring to stay in a corner of his cage. Further tests have shown that he’s also full of every intestinal parasite possible. By Saturday food was becoming much more interesting and it was time to name him. Dr Rosa and Mama Posseh have settled on Salva, which comes from the Spanish and Catalan for save. Hopefully he can be saved, it’s going to be a slow journey.
There is clearly much we still have to do to protect our chimpanzees in the wild and stop the flow to the sanctuary.
Tags: Chimpanzee, cruelty, sanctuary, Sierra Leone, Tacugama
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About Bala
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.
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Tacugama Website
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100% of your donation, minus a small bank fee, will go to your intended purpose.
Donations made here are safe.
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Donations Received
- Dec 2nd Pilar G. USD86.90
- Dec 2nd Heather M. USD163.90
- Nov 17th Christine C. USD20.00
- Nov 3rd Yang H. USD60.00
- Oct 30th Lucia C. USD100.00
- Oct 25th Wildatart . USD20.00
- Oct 17th Christine C. USD20.00
- Oct 16th Wanda H. USD27.50
- Oct 10th Theresa S. USD20.00
- Oct 3rd Yang H. USD60.00
- Sep 25th Wildatart . USD20.00
- Sep 21st Lucia C. USD100.00
- Sep 17th Christine C. USD20.00
- Sep 10th Theresa S. USD20.00
- Sep 3rd Yang H. USD60.00
- Sep 1st Meghan H. USD25.00
- Aug 25th Wildatart . USD20.00
- Aug 19th Lucia C. USD100.00
- Aug 17th Christine C. USD20.00
- Aug 10th Theresa S. USD20.00
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Tacugama Blog
12 Responses to “Another rescue from cruel captivity”
Paula, on 18 Aug 2008
Bala this is a really sad story. I am so scared that the chimps and other animals that get resceed are not just the tip of the iceberg. Can you tell us what is being done to get at the root cause of these problems leading to the imprisonment of chimps? It must cost you more and more each time you rescue one - I wondered if you would consider auctioning the naming of future animals online through WildlifeDirect (we can help you by giving the story more coverage) that come in as a way to raise funds for them?
Anna M, on 18 Aug 2008
Good idea Paula and I think this could generate further funds that are greatly needed now and for future rescues…
Maria Susana Pataro, on 18 Aug 2008
Bala,
thank you for sharing this terrible story and the very impressive pics on the injures and tortures on the body of the kid.
But I also agree that something should be urgently done in order to discover how this things are allowed to happen and stop them by education, awareness and the severe application of law.
All my love for you and your team and for the litle rescued.
As my mother tongue is Spanish I appreciate and understand the feeling of the chosen name.
God bless this little angel!
Susana, Argentina
Annie, on 18 Aug 2008
What the heck? Why would anyone do this to this poor baby? Just awful…thank you for helping him and I hope he will improve and feel safe and secure!
Christine C., on 18 Aug 2008
Ah Bala, this is just horrible. I cannot imagine the trauma poor Salva has experienced in his short life. At any rate, I am happy he found his way to you and Dr. Rosa and hope that he recovers as quickly as possible from his terrible injuries.
sheryl, washington dc, on 18 Aug 2008
I agree with the others, this is a horrible story. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? Thank you for taking in poor Salva and please keep us updated on his progress. He deserves a better life than he’s had so far.
I also think that Paula’s idea about auctioning off names is a great idea. What a thrill to be able to choose a name for a rescued chimpanzee!
s.
Lucia Cristiana, Brasil, on 19 Aug 2008
Brilliant, Paula! Bala has been developing great projects in benefit of Sierra Leone’s Chimpanzees. I am sure that your idea will contribute greatly with the wonderful purposes of Tacugama. Thanks.
Wanda Perry Wyoming USA, on 19 Aug 2008
Love is a good healer and I am glad that you are there to help Salva, and all the others. People need to be educated about wildlife, and the important role they play in life.
A lot of people don’t realize the problems the chimpanzees are having. If some one would put together a 8″ by 10″ poster about the sanctuary I will print it off, and hang them every where. I live in a small town, but we have a lot of tourists in the summer. I also shop in the city and I could leave them all over when I go.
Joanne Yang, on 19 Aug 2008
Thanks so much to Bala and all staff for your help to save Salva. I’m sure, although the journey will be long, Salva will recover eventually. Please keep us posted on the progress.
My thoughts are always with you,
Joanne Yang
Wanda, on 22 Aug 2008
how is this baby - will he make it?
Theresa, on 15 Sep 2008
Poor little guy! I will never be able to fathom or forgive such cruely to a helpless animal. I am so grateful to you and your team Bala for your selfess dedication and love for these chimps. That love is what will pull Salva through. The trauma will always be there but thanks to you and the staff he will be loved and cared for. It will go a long way toward healing him both physically and psychologically. They forgive so much that I cannot. My prayers are with you always.
Tacugama » Quarantine Update, on 26 Sep 2008
[…] of human treatment means that he’s still very nervous of people. Compared to how he first looked on arrival the photos below show you how much he’s recovered, we’re really pleased with his […]
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