03 Oct 2024
 
Mefou Park, Cameroon -- A Critically Endangered gorilla infant has been confiscated by the Cameroon Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF) and entrusted to the safety and care of Ape Action Africa.

The infant female had been shot, her skull was fractured, with wounds around her waist from rough restraints, and she was terrified. 

“Gorilla infants are fragile. It was days until we even knew whether she would allow us to help her.” Director Rachel Hogan, O.B.E., said. “And not knowing the extent of her injuries during that time, we couldn’t speculate on her chances of survival.”

Surgery by AAA’s veterinary staff removed part of the bullet, which had broken apart. Now recovering, the infant is under 24-hour care from one of AAA’s most experienced gorilla caregivers.

The infant has been named Barbie, for one of Ape Action Africa’s close supporters. Barbie’s estimated age is 18-24 months old; The only way she would have been separated from her family would have been for the entire family to have been slaughtered by poachers. 

Once Barbie has completed her quarantine, she will join other gorilla rescues in a lush, forested habitat. Currently there are no release sites for returning Critically Endangered Western Lowland gorillas into the wild in Cameroon.

Background
In the town of Lomié, a “Wandering Bus” from Prague Zoo was approached by a man offering an infant gorilla that he claimed to have found in a plantation. The MINFOF Eco-guard accompanying the bus contacted the MINFOF Chef d’Antenne of Lomié and the Biomonitoring Officer for the African Wildlife Foundation.Tthe confiscation was carried out and the infant immediately transported to AAA.

Western Lowland Gorillas are a Critically Endangered species. They are plagued by global smuggling, which has resulted in a population decline of over sixty pervent in the past 25 years. Cameroon, in western Central Africa, is one of the last places on earth where gorillas still exist in the wild. Sign AAA’s letter here to ask the social media giants to help interrupt this horrific trade:  http://friendsofapeactionafrica.org/letter.html
 
About Ape Action Africa (AAA) 
AAA cares for the largest population of rescued gorillas in the world. A conservation sanctuary for endangered primates in Cameroon, founded in 1996, AAA is based in the Mefou Park, in the Congo Basin tropical rainforest, where 287 rescued primates live under their protection. https://friendsofapeactionafrica.org

About Ministère des Forêts et de la Faune (MINFOF)
MINFOF, the  Cameroon Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, has been a partner of Ape Action Africa for 27 years. AAA serves as a technical advisor to the ministry on primates both captive and wild.  https://www.minfof.gov.cm/en/index.php

About The Wandering Bus 
The Wandering Bus is a program of the Prague Zoo designed to benefit the children of Cameroon by teaching them about and showing them elements of their own natural heritage, including the gorillas  under protection at Ape Action Africa. https://www.zoopraha.cz/en/about-zoo/news/11643-the-new-wandering-bus-has-started-to-fulfil-its-mission
​
Contact: 
Susan Lutter, Ape Action Africa 
+1 650 283 5271, [email protected]
 
***end***

​Chimpanzees love trees! And as you can see, our forested habitats give them plenty of room to climb, swing, and jump, all natural behaviors.

In this clip, watch big sister Florence encourage little Friday to climb, and be joined by their whole family.

In the heart of the Cameroon jungle a football team bears the name of the animal they seek to save. They are the Silverbacks.

Documentary film maker James Baines has just released his exceptional film about our workers' football club and their work to save gorillas. 

This captivating 10-minute documentary is only part football. The rest is behind-the-scenes life in the forest. You'll see and hear from our Director Rachel Hogan, General Manager Alex Benitez and Vet Tech Nwaboh Leonard. 

If you'd like your own Big A logo gear like vet tech Leonard is wearing, visit our Etsy shop.

You'll also notice a very distinctive football, one of many generously donated by Park, a company working to change the world by providing soccer gear to charities.

As promised to our supporters around the globe, here is an update on how we are preparing for the threat of COVID-19.

     You will be happy to know that our animals and staff remain well, though infections are increasing in Cameroon and the schools have been closed. The country's borders and air travel remain closed, but the markets and roads are open. We are still able to make food runs to purchase fresh produce for the animals, though finding the quantities we need for our 360 residents is a growing challenge, as are rising prices.

     You can be assured that we are taking every possible precaution in the forest to protect every gorilla, chimpanzee and monkey in our care, as well as those who care for them, including closing the sanctuary to the public, suspending our volunteer program and enhancing health protocols throughout.  

      To reduce the risk of virus transmission, we are limiting outside contact as much as possible. Essential staff are now staying on-site full time, wearing masks and gloves and having their temperatures taken multiple times during the day. They still have their days off, but they spend them in the park. Education and community programs have been suspended, as have new construction projects. Those staff members are at home, using their paid holiday leave. A reduced construction team remains on-site for emergencies and needed repairs, and the security team is in full force. 
 
     To the gorillas, chimpanzees and monkeys who have found safety at Ape Action Africa, much of their daily life is normal. They have dedicated caregivers, good, nutritious food, excellent health care and are enjoying family life in safe rainforest.    

     But we are facing the threat of disruptions in food, fuel, veterinary and other supplies essential to keeping them safe and healthy. 

     If you can afford to give, please consider making a donation and joining Ape Action Africa in facing this exceptional challenge. No gift is too small, and we thank you.

Please stay healthy and safe,
Susan

           Ape Action Africa has made conservation history by becoming the first sanctuary in Cameroon to successfully return a western lowland gorilla to the wild!
 
         As soon as the adult male gorilla arrived at Ape Action Africa, Director Rachel Hogan OBE was determined that he would return to his natural habitat, so she named him Freedom. Months of hard work and collaboration went into finding a suitable area for Freedom to be returned to the forest and into planning the logistics of safely and securely transporting the 135kg - 300 lbs! - gorilla from the sanctuary to the return site. ​