Tompey with Mama Posseh on her way to hospital
Following her initial checks on arrival at Tacugama we suspected all was not well with Tompey, our recently arrived 100th resident chimp. Dr Rosa decided an x-ray would help to assess her condition. The x-ray plate revealed a bullet lodged in her chest! On close inspection, we found the entry scar of the bullet on her back between her left shoulder blade and spine. One centimetre more to the right, the bullet would have hit her spine and probably been fatal. You can see the bullet below.
Her X-ray from the side….
… and from the front
Tompey doesn’t seem to be in pain and the bullet isn’t causing her any problems so far. We will continue monitoring her closely but for the time being, we won’t attempt surgery as it could be risky. Sadly it’s a pretty clear indication that Tompey’s mother must have been shot, despite the arms ban in place in Sierra Leone.
Tompey relaxes with a cuddle after Dr Rosa treats her wounds
Tompey is responding well to the care and attention she’s receiving and we hope she continues to build her strength.
12 Comments
Poor little one! Her emotional and physical trauma is heartbreaking. Witnessing her mother being killed, being shot herself then being tied to a rope. It’s amazing this little girl survived. Thank God she is now is in loving hands.
Poor thing!
It is a miracle that this little girl survived all the ordeals and now she is safely in the hands of so many kind people. The smiles on her face are priceless! Thanks Bala, Momma Posseh and Dr. Rosa for your work. I know it must be hard to see so many chimps suffer and have to say no to them. I’ll continue to do my best to help. God bless you all and the chimps.
Wonderful to hear she is improving now that she is in your care.
What an angel! God Bless you all for helping her!
I am ashamed of what my race is capable. Now this life must carry this burden. I hope for happier times to come.
PLEASE POST ON HER ONCE SHE IS ON HER WAY TO FULL RECOVERY AND DOING WELL – SHE WILL BE SPECIAL BECAUSE YOU HAD SUCH A BIG DECISION TO MAKE TO TAKE IN YET ANOTHER ONE!
Tompey is very very special… like my beloved Gaura… 100?!… more work… I will proceed with you. thank you Bala and all in Tacugama.
Good work, all. You’re doing an amzing job there. We miss our peaceful stays and wonderful walks and think of you often; we really do. Bob and Betty Press (now in Hattiesburg, Miss. at the U of Southern Miss).
Lord have mercy. A traumatic beginning for this baby girl. All the pictures of her she looks blank and shellshocked, even as she tinkered around with the bracelet. Big thank you all at Tacugama. I hope that she is really ok. Get well, get strong little Tompey.
wondering…
do you work alongside Dr. Jane Goodall-
and similar Rescue groups?
here in the US companion& wild-
animal groups have begun to unite on
defense and protection legislation a great
deal more—
I wonder if there is interest in one day having a world-wide Research&Rescue
summit?
You have an awesome and beautiful family!
I THINK ITS TERRIBLE THAT THESE CHIMPS HAVE TO ENDURE THIS KIND OF PAIN,AND TREATMENT!!!!! I STUDY PRIMATES ON MY OWN FOR TEN YEARS AND GROWN TO LOVE THESE ANIMAL.