Akouba was seized from a private residence in December 2020. She had several health issues including worms, a handicapped hand and rotten teeth from chronic malnutrition. She received physical therapy to help with her hand to help her regain its use. She is adjusting to life in the forest after many years living in a private residence.
Meet the Chimps
Remembering Nemley Junior
Nemley Jr was confiscated from traffickers in 2016 as part of a year long investigation by the BBC. His family had been murdered in front of him and sold as bushmeat. Nemley was bought from a poachers for 300 euros, and was en route to be smuggled out of Cote d’Ivoire for $12,000. Nemley was saved, and handed over to wildlife officials. Unfortunately, Cote d’Ivoire is the only country in West Africa with a wild chimp population that does not have a sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating and caring for these traumatized victims of the illegal pet and bushmeat trades. Nemley died 6 months later, on June 27 2017, after falling ill several times. The short difficult life of Nemley Jr serves as the inspiration for the Akatia team.