The big boys join the forest group!

On Saturday finally the last chimpanzees joined the forest group. These are 4 adult males Kongo and his three friends Lume, Goma and Lubutu. Kongo is a big, playfull and gentel chimpanzee and was the leader of his group of 7 chimps. We are now hoping he will take over the leadership of the forest group. So far it's looking good, he is playing with the small ones and hanging out with the rest of the group a lot. But at the same time it's all quite scary for him, so it will take time for him to adjust and take control. Lume, Goma and Lubutu have been even more scared than Kongo of their new environment and all the new chimpanzees! But we hope and think they will adjust with time. All the moves are finished and there is 35 chimpanzees in the forest! Now it's time for the group to settle down, and hopefully build lots of new friendships! We will keep you updated on their progress! Thank you for all your support in this exiting time for Lwiro, we are all so happy and it has truely been the best month in CRPLs history :)



Kongo followed by Goma

Kongo exploring

Kongo tickeling Fizi

Lume

Lubutu

Kongo

Lubutu hugging old friend Flora

Kongo with the others

Kongo saying hello to Uvira

Sunny morning in Lwiro!

Yongesa- gomagroup

Alsace- gomagroup

Gari -gomagroup

Kadutu- Malboucks vervet monkey

Baboons-Bavo grooming Brandi

David- red-tailed monkey

Lume - Kongos group

Flora- Kongos group

Sherif - big boss

Bolungwa- gomagroup

Vero, newcomer l'hoest monkey

Nice view to the mountains of Kahuzi Biega nationalpark

Clara- Kongos group

Irangi- gomagroup

Keeper Jean Paul with Django- gomagroup

Katana and Lulingu- blue monkeys

Kongo

The rainy season has started, which belive it or not means more sun and clearer days! In the dry season there is always a sort of mist in the air, so never clear blue skies or a nice view. But last night it rained a lot, and the air this morning is really clear and the sky is blue! All the animals and the people is enjoying the sunshine!

Good morning Lwiro!!!

I took my camera out first thing this morning to capture the day as it began. Every day is a busy day, but the mornings are always the most demanding. The food preparation team must pick out, weigh and wash all of the items for the day and there is a lot of food to be cooked. They then need to start sorting the food into groups for the day ahead. The monkey and chimpanzee keepers must move animals around so that they can successfully feed and clean all of the cages. They have to do all of this while the animals are demanding food…NOW!!!

Salamavilla (right) and Wima (left) demanding food from Claude the keeper!

Lume demanding breakfast...soon Lume!!!

Bahati and Christoff washing and sorting the food!

Mama Irene and Mama Bea chatting about the day ahead. Mama Bea sitting, cooking food for the animals!

Kaleshe cleaning out the Goma Group dormitory!

Kahole cleaning Shumi, the baboons cage!

Doublago our farmer planting some onions first thing in the morning!

Update on Kongo and Lume

Kongo and Lume are two of our chimps that came to Lwiro in October-07, you can read their story in our old blog:

http://awareafrica.blogspot.com/search/label/kongo%20and%20lume

Here is a little update on how they are doing now!

Lume was moved out of the Goma group cage about eight months ago because he was being too rough with the other chimpanzees and keepers. He is doing well within the Kongo group-and is very relaxed with Kongo as the alpha male.
Lume

Kongo is the head of his group which includes Lume, who he was confiscated with and spent his one month quarantine. He is a happy, playful and kind chimpanzee who rules his group very well.

Kongo