Archive for the ‘Gaura’ Category
Three days ago we received an urgent call informing us that a baby chimp was being sold at Lumley beach area in Freetown. Our informer was instructed to keep negotiating with the dealer until our arrival. Willie, our head keeper, and Tommy, wildlife ranger were swiftly dispatched. On their way they picked up two police officers and with their help the baby chimp was confiscated without too much hassle. The man, a woodcutter from Tombo village situated in the peninsula of Freetown, obviously explained a fancy story that he came across three adult chimps in the bush and when they saw him, they panicked and took off leaving the baby behind. Tombo village is a gateway by boat to many provincial coastal villages, and we think this baby must have been capture in the south of Sierra Leone and transported into Freetown peninsula for a quick sale. The dealer was in a hurry as he was willing to sell the baby for a mere $25. Tombo on arrival to Tacugama with Willie We have named her Tombo. She is less than a year old, very thin (3.5kg) and very scared. Mama Posseh is now in charge and giving her the love and care she needs to make her feel safe. Tombo It was funny to see Gaura’s reaction to the new arrival. He was attentive, inquisitive and possibly very jealous seeing Mama Posseh taking care of Tombo. It won’t be long Gaura will have a new playmate. Junior is almost completely recovered from his injury and has joined his friends in the night dens. He may be allowed to go outdoors in the coming days. Junior and his mates: his best friend Kouze (sitting in front of him), Nita and Jerry (in the hammocks) Lucia C. and Theresa S. thank you very much for your latest donations. We will use the money to buy extra milk for Tombo.
Cheeta managed to nick the two way radio from Willie and was happily going around, showing off her new toy to the rest of her gang. We tried all sorts of ways to get it back but she was proving to be much smarter than us. She was getting excited hearing her name coming out of the radio and all the attention from the chimps and staff as everyone was following her. The entire Tacugama team was having a good laugh. I wanted to join in….but just the thought of buying another radio for $400 did not permit me. 48 hours gone, the battery has gone flat and the chances of finding the bloody radio in this thick forest is very slim! Cheeta wins! You can bet we’ll be looking at how to secure those radios better…. Cheetah holding her prize aloft, safely out or reach….
Poor little Gaura….he has gone through his first knock down! Despite his tolerant nature towards medical procedures, he had to be sedated as we all know dental surgery can be very painful.
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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. 
