Tacugama

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Another Bruno? God…I am stuck here for another 20 years!

Category: Chimpanzee, Quarantine, Tacugama | Date: Feb 16 2009 | By: tacugama

I was with Dr. Rosa in Freetown doing some errands and she was commenting on the fact the Jessica will be completing her last health check and in a few days she will be out of quarantine. We were happy that this is the first time since last year our quarantine section will be free of chimps. Sadly, our happiness did not last long! We got a call from one of our former education officer … a baby chimp has been handed over to them together with an official handing over note!

NAME BRUNO
SEX MALE
BROUGHT TO TE CONSERVATION SOCIETY OF SIERRA LEONE BY MUSA SANU KNOTEH
CAUGHT IN KABALA, SPENT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS IN MAKENI
FED REGULARLY ON FRUITS AND SOME RICE
REMARKS LOOKS PHYSICALLY OK, BUT DIRTY.

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Dirty….indeed he was. His face, feet and hand all black and he looked like an adult chimp! He was quite happy to bond with me and Rosa decided to take the wheel. It was a strange feeling driving through the town having another Bruno on my lap…bringing so many happy and sad memories that I continue to carry over the years.
It is going to be kind of difficult for any one of us at Tacugama to call another chimp BRUNO. But the education officer was insisting that we should not change the name and after all it is not bad idea as all of us are missing our big Bruno. So I gave in for “young Bruno”. It is common in Sierra Leone to call a youngster after the father´s name with the title “young” in the front.

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He seems healthy and settling in well……and I am just beginning to get worried. If I go by what happened 20 years ago….I may get stuck here for another 20!

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9 Responses to “Another Bruno? God…I am stuck here for another 20 years!”

Theresa, on 16 Feb 2009

Young Bruno is a cutie! I think Tacugauma would have you another 20 years, young Bruno or not! Let’s hope he is as great as his namesake. Thanks for the post Bala!

Lucia Cristiana, Brasil, on 17 Feb 2009

Young Bruno is very very beautiful. What a pretty smile! Bala, you are Tacugama! Thank you for take care Tacugama’s chimps forever. How are little Gaura?

Susana P.(Argentina), on 17 Feb 2009

Very, very handsome…
All the best for Young Bruno in Tacugama and thank you Bala for your devotion.
Regards
Susana P.(Argentina)

Itay, on 17 Feb 2009

He is very cute and arrive to the right place.

Wanda - Atlanta, on 17 Feb 2009

Maybe a greater power decided you needed another Bruno –
he is the cutest little guy — stay safe!

Christine C., on 17 Feb 2009

What a beautiful boy…I think he will be loved by all immediately! Whatta smile!

Joanne, on 18 Feb 2009

Thanks Bala for sharing the news with us. What a great smile young Bruno has! Usually the new arrivals would look really sad, scared and wounded; but he did not. I think young Bruno must be trying to bring you some special message — like thanking you for all the good work you have done for 20 years and encouraging you to keep up for another 20 years!

Annie, on 19 Feb 2009

Absolutely adorable!!!

Gaura and his growing group of playmates… | Tacugama, on 19 Nov 2009

[…] Young Bruno is a shy but much loved member of the group with a very gentle nature. He’s getting happier to follow Jessica’s lead every day. […]

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