Big step for Sakina and Grace

Sakina and Grace have now moved in with the othere baby chimps in the nursery group! They have been there for two days and are doing well. We were a bit worried especially for Grace as he is so much smaller than the others, but it seems Sakina is the one that is most scared. Grace is a little fighter and puts the others in their place! We are confident that the two soon will be a well integrated part of the group.

Sakina and Grace

Sakina and Grace are doing very well! Sakina is playing all day long, Grace is a bit more careful, but also plays a lot. But he does think his new big sister is a bit too big and playing a bit rough sometimes. They've both had a bit of a cold this week, but not very bad.

Grace

Sakina

Sakina and Grace are doing well!

Sakina and Grace are both doing great! They eat a lot and play with eachother and their caregivers. Sakina is almost twice the size of Grace so she can be a bit much for him, therfore they have two caregivers like that one can play with Sakina while Grace needs a cuddle. Sakinas nose i a bit better, but still a bit swollen. We belive it is an infection from a tooth, so she might need to be anestetized to pull out the tooth before it can get properly well.

Grace

Grace and Sakina

Sakina

Sakina morning milk

Sakina Dungu - second day and already playing!

It is Sakina Dungu's second full day at the sanctuary and already she is playing! She seems very confident and relaxed with Mama Dorcas already. Sadly, no person can ever take the place of the chimpanzees which should be in her life, but Mama will provide her with everything possible until her month quarentine is over and she can be moved into the infant group!

New Arrival!!!

Sakina Dungu (Sakina- the Congolese name she arrived with, Dungu- the name of the village of confiscation) arrived in the early afternoon on the 9^th of August 2010. We are still unsure about her story, but we were informed of her presence by the people at the Okapi Station in DRC. They also organised her travel from Bunia to Kavumu by air. Kavumu is just 7 km from Lwiro, so Sakina was picked up by the Director of the Kahuzi Biega National Park, Boji (ICCN). Boji and his team delivered her to us. She was a little apprehensive at the beginning, but soon settled down once she came to know Mama Dorcas – the caregiver at the sanctuary who takes charge of the quarantine of new infants. She ate many tomatoes (they seems to be her favourite) and spent the afternoon with Mama.

Sakina is around 2 to 3 years old and is very thin. She also has an advanced infection around her nose. This may have stemmed from a tooth infection, but the veterinarian will explore this once she has settled in. For now, Sakina will start a course of antibiotics, have access to good food and clean water and be cared for by Mama Dorcas. After her one month quarantine, Sakina will be integrated into the infant chimpanzee cage.

Sakina on arrival

Carmen removing the cord around her neck.

Sakina Dungu today, still sad...

Her nose is swollen due to infection