Rehabilitating chimpanzees and small monkeys from trafficking
Rescue and rehabilitate
Every day, dozens of young primates are illegally captured, while several adults die defending them. Our NGO rescues primates that Ivorian authorities seize from large trafficking networks to rehabilitate them to the wild.
Côte d'Ivoire is the hub of illegal wildlife trafficking in West Africa, which is why we are present there with our two rescue centres to rescue and give these survivors a second chance.
What does rehabilitating an animal mean?
All the primates we take in are orphans whose mother and group members were killed defending them. Our job is to help them rebuild, slowly, patiently.
Our rescue centres
Small monkey rehabilitation camp
It houses about ten small monkeys of several species: White-nosed monkeys, Sooty Mangabey, Lowe's Mona, Campbell's Mona, Green Vervet, Patas.
Chimpanzee rescue centre
It houses about ten chimpanzees aged from one to 30 years, in a preserved forest environment.
No, primates don't just eat bananas
For their health, primates eat a diverse diet of fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy treats (sugar cane, cacao pods, wild fruits…).
The food costs for our two rescue centres already represent more than €2,000 per month.
Help feed them →
What does rehabilitating an animal mean?
All the primates we take in are orphans whose mother and group members were killed defending them. The youngest are captured to be sold illegally as pets, the adults for their meat.
When they arrive at our rescue centres, they have already suffered indescribable violence: many have physical injuries such as wounds caused by shotgun pellets or machetes.
Steps in the rehabilitation process
Intake
First aid and assessment of the animal's physical and emotional condition upon arrival.
Quarantine
Isolation and veterinary tests to ensure no disease can be transmitted to other residents.
Rehabilitation
Bush school: young primates go into the forest with caregivers to relearn how to feed, climb, and recognize dangers.
Release
A release protocol is being evaluated by the Ministry of Water and Forests for individuals ready to return to the wild.
Scientific monitoring
Monitoring released individuals is essential. This work requires years and enormous economic and scientific resources.
Jules's story
May 2, 2023. Jules is seized in Guiglo by authorities. The illegal holder had been showing him on social media, dressed as a human, drinking soda, eating cookies.
Jules was so malnourished that he's the size of a 2-year-old chimpanzee, half his actual age. He still bears the marks of the iron chain that kept him captive.
Thanks to the work of Eagle Network, the Ministry of Water and Forests and Akatia, Jules is now in our rescue centre and discovering life in the forest.
Help us help them
With the increase in primate rescues from trafficking, we need you more than ever.