Walikale and Itebero - attached at the hip!
About a 2 minute walk from the
sanctuary there is a small cage which was originally built as a short term quarantine
cage for one or two chimpanzees. Unfortunately, infant chimpanzees were confiscated
at an alarming rate over the past 5 years, meaning this cage became very full,
very fast! Not having anywhere else to house these infants, they all stayed in
this area. Within the sanctuary there is a larger cage in which the juveniles
were housed. Now all of the juveniles (and some of the older infants) have been
moved to the forest. This has left this larger, better equipped cage free for
the infants! They have moved in and are so happy with the extra space! It is
still a cage – so we have plans to continue constructions at the CRPL to build
an infant habitat (and much more)! In the meantime, this is a step up from
their old home and they love the extra room!
In the absence of Fizi, Maiko and
the other older infants the babies have had to reorganise their structure.
Butembo has stepped up to take on the dominant role and Aketi is making a great
second in charge! Walikale and Itebero are both doing well, but are joined at
the hip most of the time! Slowly they are starting to explore independent of
each other, but it will take time. And Rambo never stops playing; he barley
makes time to eat! They still have a caregiver with them 24 hours a day due to
the fact that some of them are so young!
Lots of changes are happening for
the better at the CRPL! More updates to come.
Aketi - second in charge
Butembo - the new boss
Grace
Loia
Luguswa
Lulinga and Walikale
Mangay and Rambo laughing
Mangay
Rambo
Sakina