Help Feed over 150 Orphaned Chimpanzees

During the last few weeks, many of Anzac’s companions have been transferred to the island of Tchindzoulou. Mbebo and Mambou, her two best friends, were two of the chimpanzees who were transferred and integrated with other chimpanzees on the island to form part of a huge group of about fifty chimpanzees.

The aim of these transfers is to create a group of chimpanzees who could be potentially reintroduced into the jungle in the future. Now Anzac’s group at the original sanctuary site has only eight individuals, and is much calmer than before, with minimal fights or shouting. Anzac’s missing left arm and young age are part of the reason why she has still not been transferred to the islands.

At the moment, Anzac has to settle for the daily routine at the main sanctuary site of Tchimpounga. Although her personality remains affable with JGI caretakers, Anzac always tries to play tricks.

One favorite involves a bottle with peanuts that the caretakers use to attract the attention of the chimpanzees to take their temperatures. It's amazing how Anzac, despite missing a part of an arm, has the ability to reach behind the distracted caretakers and steal the bottle with the delicious peanuts. The caretaker tries to run after Anzac, but she is very fast and always manages to climb up one of the high wooden platforms. The caretaker asks her to return the bottle, but Anzac only laughs and eats the peanuts very quickly. Other chimpanzees come up begging to share the treasure, but Anzac eats them all. When the bottle is empty she plays with it for a while and then drops it to the ground from the top of the platform. While the caretaker catches her, she wonders how it is possible that this little chimpanzee can always steal the bottle; she is very smart!