Firstly Samson and Delilah have settled in very well to their new home. Samson is the more playful of the two, but also the one who cries the most, seeking lots of attention! Delilah is more laid back in her new surroundings and is more curious about things going on around her.

Basma is doing incredibly well, and is now beginning to eat proper food! Babes is being a great mother, and at feeding time shares her food with both her children, Basma and Bintu.

Basma has her eye on her mother’s food (as does one of the older chimps!)
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Babes, Bintu and Basma at feeding time
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As for the rest of the youngsters in quarantine, Chippe and Thulani both passed quarantine with flying colours and have now been integrated together. The meeting went very smoothly, although Thulani, the smaller one of the two likes to make sure Chippe knows he is the boss! Posseh has a tough time when she brings them out of their enclosure to play  – rather than exploring Thulani is determined to get Chippe and bite him!

Posseh tries hard to keep Thulani from Chippe!
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As Posseh entertains Thulani, Chippe gets to explore the trees in peace
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Chippe has some time alone with Posseh
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Abu, Sunny and Blama have technically finished their quarantine but it will take some time to move them as we are desperately trying to resolve the problems that we have with the lack of enclosure space.

Abu
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Kangari has not been very well this week, but with love and attention from Mama Posseh, he has made a good recovery and started to play again.

Lastly for today…  Gaura and company….

No major incidents to report thankfully! After the two groups joined together, the fourteen chimps are still having a great time together, although they have not sorted out their hierarchy yet! Poor Gaura and Mac, as two of the younger boys are having a bit of a hard time. The older boys, especially Spana and Bimbo are definitely trying to show them who is boss. Gaura  was the alpha male of the younger group and they want to see how strong he is. Unfortunately Mac may just have got in the way as being an ally of Gaura.  Two of the other older chimps, Alex and Bimbo, haven’t quite decided whose side they are on. Sometimes they defend Gaura, and sometimes they join in against him; he has the determination and energy of a leader, even at a young age. Maybe Spana and Bimbo realize this so give him such a hard time! But don’t worry – it’s not fighting all the time and we often see them all playing together when it matters less who’s boss!

Gaura and Mac left alone to play together
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Everyone else is getting on fine, and no-one seems to be causing much trouble. In the two original groups, there was one girl in each group to watch out for; Jessica and Joyce. Since they have become great friends they are definitely a lot happier and have calmed down a lot! Yoyema on the other hand can get a little jealous sometimes!

Jessica has fun with some leaves
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Everybody has fun with some leaves!
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The group can often be seen playing altogether on the platforms, relaxing or spending time on their own high up in the trees. Chica and Bruno seem to have similar personalities, spending lots of time on their own but also being popular in the group.

The younger chimps seek attention from Chica, far right
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We’ll be back in touch with more news soon.

Firstly Samson and Delilah have settled in very well to their new home. Samson is the more playful of the two, but also the one who cries the most, seeking lots of attention! Delilah is more laid back in her new surroundings and is more curious about things going on around her.

Basma is doing incredibly well, and is now beginning to eat proper food! Babes is being a great mother, and at feeding time shares her food with both her children, Basma and Bintu.

Basma has her eye on her mother’s food (as does one of the older chimps!)
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Babes, Bintu and Basma at feeding time
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As for the rest of the youngsters in quarantine, Chippe and Thulani both passed quarantine with flying colours and have now been integrated together. The meeting went very smoothly, although Thulani, the smaller one of the two likes to make sure Chippe knows he is the boss! Posseh has a tough time when she brings them out of their enclosure to play  – rather than exploring Thulani is determined to get Chippe and bite him!

Posseh tries hard to keep Thulani from Chippe!
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As Posseh entertains Thulani, Chippe gets to explore the trees in peace
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Chippe has some time alone with Posseh
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Abu, Sunny and Blama have technically finished their quarantine but it will take some time to move them as we are desperately trying to resolve the problems that we have with the lack of enclosure space.

Abu
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Kangari has not been very well this week, but with love and attention from Mama Posseh, he has made a good recovery and started to play again.

Lastly for today…  Gaura and company….

No major incidents to report thankfully! After the two groups joined together, the fourteen chimps are still having a great time together, although they have not sorted out their hierarchy yet! Poor Gaura and Mac, as two of the younger boys are having a bit of a hard time. The older boys, especially Spana and Bimbo are definitely trying to show them who is boss. Gaura  was the alpha male of the younger group and they want to see how strong he is. Unfortunately Mac may just have got in the way as being an ally of Gaura.  Two of the other older chimps, Alex and Bimbo, haven’t quite decided whose side they are on. Sometimes they defend Gaura, and sometimes they join in against him; he has the determination and energy of a leader, even at a young age. Maybe Spana and Bimbo realize this so give him such a hard time! But don’t worry – it’s not fighting all the time and we often see them all playing together when it matters less who’s boss!

Gaura and Mac left alone to play together
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Everyone else is getting on fine, and no-one seems to be causing much trouble. In the two original groups, there was one girl in each group to watch out for; Jessica and Joyce. Since they have become great friends they are definitely a lot happier and have calmed down a lot! Yoyema on the other hand can get a little jealous sometimes!

Jessica has fun with some leaves
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Everybody has fun with some leaves!
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The group can often be seen playing altogether on the platforms, relaxing or spending time on their own high up in the trees. Chica and Bruno seem to have similar personalities, spending lots of time on their own but also being popular in the group.

The younger chimps seek attention from Chica, far right
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We’ll be back in touch with more news soon.

Yoyema checks out Tombo’s hammock for comfort!

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As we’ve mentioned in earlier blogs, the challenge we now have as these babies grow bigger is making sure that we have the enclosure space for them to be outside all day learning to climb, forage and socialise in preparation for a life outside of Tacugama in the future. Proposals have been submitted to donor organisations to raise the funds for two new forested enclosures (and one for Solo). These are urgently needed to allow our growing chimpanzees enough space to exercise and behave as much as possible as they would in the wild.

As Gaura’s group has grown in number we’ve looked at how we can create access to the outdoor enclosures for them. We’ve been gradually introducing 15 of our younger chimps from Simon’s group to a group of 10 juveniles (Joko’s group) so that there is room available in our infants’ enclosure for Gaura and co. It’s a slow process to make sure that the introductions go well. We’re now almost ready to introduce Gaura’s group to the remaining 7 infants from Simon’s group.

In the last couple of weeks Gaura and playmates have been spending a couple of hours a day in the enclosure with Mama Posseh but without the rest of the chimps so that they get used to the electric fence, using the tunnel in and out of the dens and just how much space they have to play.

Gaura is definitely the very young alpha male of the group and while he can be a bully, he does take care of his playmates when they really need support.

Gaura comforts young Bruno

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Jessica is the smallest and the most adventurous – she’s really enjoying having lots of new spaces to explore and leading the rest of the chimps as she climbs higher and further from Mama Posseh.

Jessica enjoys exploring

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Mac on the other hand is still not too happy moving away from Mama Posseh, hopefully he will be tempted to follow Jessica soon.

Mac sticks close to Mama Posseh

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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.

Bruno shows his prowess

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Bai Nyaa has the biggest appetite of the group and doesn’t miss any opportunity to steal extra food from the others at mealtimes!

Bai Nyaa takes a rest to think about her next meal

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Tombo’s biggest concern as she plays in the enclosure is making sure that Gaura is not too far away. Having been the first one to join Gaura she’s very possessive and not always happy to share him with everyone else.

Tombo carefully monitors Gaura’s movements

Mama Posseh encourages the chimps to explore while she’s in the enclosure and has been teaching them how to drink from our specially designed water fountains.

Learning to drink (from left to right):

Young Bruno, Bai Nyaa, Mac, Jessica, Tombo and Gaura

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After lots of excercise it’s time to come back into the dens for milk and a rest and let the rest of the infants go back out to play. It won’t be too long before the babies go into the enclosure without Posseh and then finally join in for full days with the others.

Bai Nyaa + Gaura (left) try to help Yoyema with her milk while Tombo (right) looks on

We’ll keep you in touch with their progress!

It was finally time for young Bruno to leave quarantine and join the famous five: Gaura, Tombo, Mac, Bai Nyaa and Jessica! He could tell the day was different and seemed very happy to accompany Mama Posseh as she walked him over to the rest of the babies.

Happy Young Bruno
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Everyone behaved very well when the first polite introductions were made, but it didn’t take long for the senior babies – Gaura and Tombo – to test Bruno with some vigorous play! We decided to take them for a short walk while Bruno had a chance to get to know Mac, Jessica and Bai Nyaa so that by the time Gaura and Tombo came back Bruno started to lay down a few rules of engagement. It was just what Gaura needed – he was in danger of becoming a bad bully but young Bruno is big enough and bold enough to keep Gaura in his place and they’re quickly becoming the best of friends. Even little Mac is getting braver to join in the games.

Bruno extends a greeting to Jessica
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Vigorous greetings indeed…
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The next day saw Bruno happily accompany Mama Posseh and Esther for the daily walk to the forest – it’s getting to be a big walking party these days. He had an amazing time as, for the first time in at least three months, he was free to climb and play in the forest.

Real trees!!
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Gaura and Bruno have a great time!
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Meanwhile our newest arrival – Yoyema – is benefitting from lots of necessary attention and treatment. She’s had a thorough check out and the poor little thing was full of tapeworm, one of the reasons she was so thin and unhappy. Mama Posseh is on a well-earned week off so Esther has stepped in to bath, cuddle and help with Yoyema’s care. Yoyema’s just starting to show signs of putting on a bit of weight and becoming a bit less lethargic. She’s also using her left hand more and more so we’re hopeful she won’t be too handicapped by the damage she sustained before she was confiscated.

Yoyema
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Cheetah’s gentle recovery is continuing and she’s now able to move around her den without the support of overhead sticks, though she’s still very cautious as she moves around. We’re so pleased with how she is now compared to a month ago.

Marcel is also making a strong recovery.  Fortunately he was nowhere as nearly badly affected as Cheetah though we continue to monitor him carefully and keep him indoors.  The health check team are progressing very well and almost all the chimps have now undergone their EMCV vaccination and thorough examinations.  We’ll hopefully be finished this weekend.

It was finally time for young Bruno to leave quarantine and join the famous five: Gaura, Tombo, Mac, Bai Nyaa and Jessica! He could tell the day was different and seemed very happy to accompany Mama Posseh as she walked him over to the rest of the babies.

Happy Young Bruno
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Everyone behaved very well when the first polite introductions were made, but it didn’t take long for the senior babies – Gaura and Tombo – to test Bruno with some vigorous play! We decided to take them for a short walk while Bruno had a chance to get to know Mac, Jessica and Bai Nyaa so that by the time Gaura and Tombo came back Bruno started to lay down a few rules of engagement. It was just what Gaura needed – he was in danger of becoming a bad bully but young Bruno is big enough and bold enough to keep Gaura in his place and they’re quickly becoming the best of friends. Even little Mac is getting braver to join in the games.

Bruno extends a greeting to Jessica
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Vigorous greetings indeed…
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The next day saw Bruno happily accompany Mama Posseh and Esther for the daily walk to the forest – it’s getting to be a big walking party these days. He had an amazing time as, for the first time in at least three months, he was free to climb and play in the forest.

Real trees!!
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Gaura and Bruno have a great time!
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Meanwhile our newest arrival – Yoyema – is benefitting from lots of necessary attention and treatment. She’s had a thorough check out and the poor little thing was full of tapeworm, one of the reasons she was so thin and unhappy. Mama Posseh is on a well-earned week off so Esther has stepped in to bath, cuddle and help with Yoyema’s care. Yoyema’s just starting to show signs of putting on a bit of weight and becoming a bit less lethargic. She’s also using her left hand more and more so we’re hopeful she won’t be too handicapped by the damage she sustained before she was confiscated.

Yoyema
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Cheetah’s gentle recovery is continuing and she’s now able to move around her den without the support of overhead sticks, though she’s still very cautious as she moves around. We’re so pleased with how she is now compared to a month ago.

Marcel is also making a strong recovery.  Fortunately he was nowhere as nearly badly affected as Cheetah though we continue to monitor him carefully and keep him indoors.  The health check team are progressing very well and almost all the chimps have now undergone their EMCV vaccination and thorough examinations.  We’ll hopefully be finished this weekend.

Like most young chimps she’s not yet learned to look after and respect the forest in the same way as adult chimps do. Several of the young fruit saplings planted around Tacugama have fallen victim to this young chimp’s antics as she tests her acrobatic strength. Bala has spent several years nurturing a beautiful Flame of the Forest tree that you see in the foreground of the photo above and it’s just become the latest to lose all it’s branches. It’s great to see the wild chimps around but Congo needs to start instilling forest discipline on this young minx quickly..! She’s obviously taking advantage of her younger sibling taking up mum’s attention.

Me… a troublemaker…??!!
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Gaura, Mac, Bai Nyaa, Tombo and Jessica are keeping Mama Posseh busy as she takes them out for their regular forest walks. We’re trying to take all five of them together whenever there’s an extra pair of hands available to help Posseh. Gaura continues to be the strong man of the team and races around the forest teasing the other four babies. Jessica – though the smallest of the group – is the only one who really returns Gaura’s challenge; but she much prefers playing nicely with the other two girls when Gaura leaves them in peace. Poor Mac remains the real softy of the group, running to Mama Posseh when Gaura gets too much for him! We hope you enjoy these photos and the video clip….

Gaura (bottom) with Tombo (left) and Jessica (right)
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Guara tickles Mac
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Jessica (left) and Gaura
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Follow me!
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Poor Bruno still has another month to go in quarantine and can’t yet join the forest walks much to his disappointment. He’s a shy but content little boy who will hopefully become a robust playmate for Gaura. He’s a much better match in age and strength than little Mac.

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They’d also like you to know that if you’re stuck for a Christmas gift then there’s no need to panic. You can now visit our new pages on Wildlife Direct and adopt one of the Tacugama chimpanzees for your family and friends. We will do our best to email electronic copies of the adoption certificate and biography by return so that you have time to print them for Christmas Day while the rest of the adoption pack follows in the post.

Many thanks to Yvonne, Lucia, Christine, Mark and Maciej for their recent generous donations – Gaura and Tombo promise that these will be shared with all of the 92 chimps we now have at Tacugama.

From all of us at the sanctuary – as we complete our first full year of blogging – thank you for your continuing interest and support and we wish you a peaceful and happy holiday season.

Empty cartridges found by the patrol team
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We’re finally through the flu and although a couple of our chimps had us really concerned – especially Josephine and Salva – we’re pleased to report that everyone’s made a full recovery. It also means that we were able to release Dr Rosa, our resident vet, to meet her counterparts from the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) at a veterinary workshop in Congo. PASA supports the vets getting together every two years so that they can share experiences and update their knowledge to make sure we keep our wildlife safe and healthy. You can see Rosa at the conference on the J.A.C.K. blog…

Gaura, Tombo and Mac are going from strength to strength! They really look forward to their daily forest walk and hoot in excitement when Posseh rounds them up for their excursions. Poor little Bainyaa is feeling really left out as they go. She’s still in her quarantine period so has to wait for a few more weeks before she can join the rest of Posseh’s adventurers.

Tombo (l) and Mac (r) ready to go (you can just see Gaura’s hand on Posseh’s shoulder!)
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Posseh was telling me that Gaura is now getting very daring in the forest, jumping from branch to branch and going higher and higher in the trees. Tombo’s happy to climb high but won’t jump far and Mac is still finding his feet (and arms!) as he gains confidence in the trees. Hopefully we’ll be able to get our new enclosures funded so that our younger residents can spend all day in the trees just like the older guys.

Gaura ready to play with Mac
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The news from Phillip’s group is good so far with Boyze, Ole, Tito and Perform all behaving. Boyze is building his confidence though he still likes to see a clear route to the dens should moods change. Hopefully in the next few days he’ll start to explore further afield. Urgent and Salva are close to being able to go into the enclosures soon and Marion’s not looked back since she joined Mama Lucy’s group out in their forest area. We smile everytime we see her riding on Mama Lucy or Kate’s back – such a contrast to when she first arrived.

Blogging has really helped us to keep in touch with many of our friends – known and unknown but it’s also fun when we hear from you in different ways. A recent visitor to Sierra Leone brought with her an envelope from Bishop Tufnell Junior School in the south of England. Inside was a lovely card from the school’s art club who had raised money for us by making and selling bookmarks. We wasted no time is showing the card to Simon’s group of young chimps – they thought it was great too! Thanks again to all of you in the art club – your donation was a lovely surprise.

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Empty cartridges found by the patrol team
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We’re finally through the flu and although a couple of our chimps had us really concerned – especially Josephine and Salva – we’re pleased to report that everyone’s made a full recovery. It also means that we were able to release Dr Rosa, our resident vet, to meet her counterparts from the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA) at a veterinary workshop in Congo. PASA supports the vets getting together every two years so that they can share experiences and update their knowledge to make sure we keep our wildlife safe and healthy. You can see Rosa at the conference on the J.A.C.K. blog…

Gaura, Tombo and Mac are going from strength to strength! They really look forward to their daily forest walk and hoot in excitement when Posseh rounds them up for their excursions. Poor little Bainyaa is feeling really left out as they go. She’s still in her quarantine period so has to wait for a few more weeks before she can join the rest of Posseh’s adventurers.

Tombo (l) and Mac (r) ready to go (you can just see Gaura’s hand on Posseh’s shoulder!)
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Posseh was telling me that Gaura is now getting very daring in the forest, jumping from branch to branch and going higher and higher in the trees. Tombo’s happy to climb high but won’t jump far and Mac is still finding his feet (and arms!) as he gains confidence in the trees. Hopefully we’ll be able to get our new enclosures funded so that our younger residents can spend all day in the trees just like the older guys.

Gaura ready to play with Mac
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The news from Phillip’s group is good so far with Boyze, Ole, Tito and Perform all behaving. Boyze is building his confidence though he still likes to see a clear route to the dens should moods change. Hopefully in the next few days he’ll start to explore further afield. Urgent and Salva are close to being able to go into the enclosures soon and Marion’s not looked back since she joined Mama Lucy’s group out in their forest area. We smile everytime we see her riding on Mama Lucy or Kate’s back – such a contrast to when she first arrived.

Blogging has really helped us to keep in touch with many of our friends – known and unknown but it’s also fun when we hear from you in different ways. A recent visitor to Sierra Leone brought with her an envelope from Bishop Tufnell Junior School in the south of England. Inside was a lovely card from the school’s art club who had raised money for us by making and selling bookmarks. We wasted no time is showing the card to Simon’s group of young chimps – they thought it was great too! Thanks again to all of you in the art club – your donation was a lovely surprise.

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“Love at first sight”
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“I am not letting you go ever”
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After spending many happy hours playing together, Gaura and Tombo finally headed to bed for a well earned night’s sleep. Much to Tombo’s disappointment, Gaura was not so good at sharing his hammock as he was at playing! She finally had to let go of him to get enough space and sleep in her own hammock. The two are now sharing the same quarantine enclosure and really enjoying each other’s company.  We’re hoping that we can secure funding soon to allow us to build the additional enclosures we need so that Gaura, Tombo together with Mac, Salva and others will finally start to learn how to live in the forest.

Bed time
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Yesterday saw the opening of the art exhibition at Monarto Zoo in Australia – you may recall that two Australian artists have used photos of Tacugama’s chimpanzees for the basis of their works being displayed. They have kindly offered to give a significant proportion of their proceeds to Tacugama to help with the sanctuary running costs. It sounds like the exhibition is going really well for Leigh Rust and Patrick Hedges – here’s a link to their website Art for Chimps.