Tacugama

Protecting chimpanzees in Sierra Leone

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Question Time with Mama Posseh

Category: Tacugama | Date: Oct 10 2009 | By: tacugama

Hello, this is Tess, one of Tacugama’s volunteers, blogging today.

As some of you know Mama Posseh is the responsible for the quarantine section at Tacugama where she looks after the new arrivals for their 3 months quarantine period. She gives them lots of care and attention during their stay here, acting as their foster mother. The new chimps are often weak, distressed and their backgrounds unknown. Posseh works very hard, an important part of her job is keeping the area clean to prevent any spread of diseases, preparing their food as well as helping the chimps recover from their trauma. She also helps Dr Rosa to administer any medications needed.

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As you often mention Mama Posseh in the blogs we thought it would be great for you to have the chance to ask Posseh some questions about her work, how she finds working with the chimps and what she loves about them! Please let us have any questions that you would like to ask Posseh directly and she will answer them for you! We will gather all your questions for Mama Posseh this coming week and publish her replies in a blog in two weeks time. She’s looking forward to hearing from you.

posseh-keeing-the-chis-clean.jpg.

Also we wanted to let you know that we now have a page on FACEBOOK where you can find more updates on Tacugama and the chimps. Please check out the site, become a fan and invite all your friends and family! The more people who know about Tacugama the better! Click here to join - thank you!

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8 Responses to “Question Time with Mama Posseh”

Amy, on 10 Oct 2009

So many questions — where to start?

How did you come to work at Tacugama?
Did you ever think you would be a foster mother to orphaned chimpanzees?
How do you feel when a chimp bonds with you?
Do you feel that humans are so different from other apes, or do we have more in common?
What is the hardest thing about your job?
Your favorite thing?

Yvonne, on 11 Oct 2009

How many hours a day do you spend with the chimps?
What does a baby chimp eat?

Theresa, on 11 Oct 2009

What is the most surprising thing you have learned about chimpanzees while working with them?

Anna M, on 12 Oct 2009

Firstly Mama Posseh a thank you for such great job you do, there are many here on WLD that would like to swap with you for a while and look after them even just for a day or two).

My question, what were yours and your community’s understanding of these primates and other apes in and around your area when you were younger ? Were they something that you were told about in school or through your family and friends ? Is it your understanding that today people are more aware of what is happening to them and their dwindling numbers and the reasons you are conserving them through Tacugama for example ?

Miranda, on 13 Oct 2009

Hi Tess, this is a great idea. Mama Posseh is very much admired and appreciated.

What does your family and friends think of your work at the sanctuary — do they understand and support this urgent importance of your vital assistance and work helping the baby orphans?

What time do you start and end your day normally (if there is a normal!) at the sanctuary?

I understand there is a level of trust and bonding that you develop and aquire with each baby — has there been an instance where you have gotten attached? Or visa-versa?

Can you tell us something that you do to help calm, reassure a scared baby?

I imagine it is difficult for you and the young chimps, after their quarantine period, when they move onto the next step/stage of their life and have to leave you — if possible, could you tell us who was the easiest (strongest, most courageous) to move on and why, and who took it the hardest (most dependent, scared) to move on and leave you?

What can you tell us about your work at the sanctuary and how it makes you feel?

I’m so sorry that there is so much conflicts, wars, sufferings, killings, poachings, etc. happening in your country, and the individual stories and unfortunate circumstances of all these orphans you care for are so worrisome, heartbreaking and sad — if possible, and on a lighter note, is there a funny story/incident that you can tell us about that made you laugh? (we know how intelligent, curious and mischievous young chimps can be!)

Do you communicate with the chimps in their language, like food grunts and pant hoots? If so, is there a greater response?

Do they know their names?

When you are not working/helping the chimps at the sanctuary, and if you have the time, what do you like to do? Any interests/hobbies?

What is YOUR favorite food/dish to eat?

Please Tess, relay to Mama Posseh many sincere Thank you’s for all that she is doing for these magnificent beings. Her contribution and help is invaluable and does not go unnoticed. She has a beautiful soul and a lovely smile in her pictures. Her hard work, compassion, diligence and dedication beams through the computer screen. It would be an honor to meet her and be her friend. Thank you Mama Posseh! Big hugs!

Kathy G, on 14 Oct 2009

You are such a wonderful person to take on the tasks that you have!

What do think is the most important thing youdo or provide, to help them recover grom thw trauma part of their ordeal?

Thank you! And Godspeed!

Lucia Cristiana, Brasil, on 14 Oct 2009

Of course Mama Posseh is a saint. Thank you, wise woman.

Christine C., on 28 Oct 2009

I just want to thank Mama Posseh…she is just so special.

My one question is: Does she still recognize the chimps as they grow, after they have been released from her care? Do they continue to recognize her or communicate with her?

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