You may remember that we recently shared the story of a chimp named Motambo. Motambo arrived at Tchimpounga suffering from the worst injuries we had ever seen. He received intensive, round-the-clock care from the veterinary staff at Tchimpounga and stayed in the hospital ward for two months as he recovered.

With a lot of love, care and attention, Motambo was able to pull through..

After his recovery, Motambo remained weak for some time and was placed in an enclosure with the younger chimpanzees and an older female chimp who was always gentle and caring with new arrivals.

Motambo loved to play with the youngsters, and would act the big brother, ending squabbles and protecting the smallest from the larger, more rambunctious chimps.

Together, we brought him back to life. But being alive is not enough when freedom is waiting out there!

We are thrilled to announce that Motambo’s life has changed once more for the better! Once he was strong enough, Motambo was transferred to Tchibebe Island, one of Tchimpounga’s new island sanctuary sites.

Motambo’s new home is a natural island paradise where he can live wild and free, while still under the protective eye of sanctuary staff. A place he and his fellow rescued chimpanzees can live with dignity after such a traumatic childhood.

For the first time since he as captured by poachers, Motambo is able to roam the forested island with his chimpanzee friends, and live freely, just like he did as a child.

The only reason the Jane Goodall Institute is able to save chimpanzees like Motambo is the support of our members & donors, especially that of our Chimp Guardians.

Becoming a chimp guardian starts at just $25 a month and you will play a vital role ensuring the ongoing care of the chimpanzees at Tchimpounga.

While Motambo’s story has it’s happy ending, there are still many chimps waiting for theirs.

Please consider helping us give other chimpanzees, like Motambo, a second chance, and become a Chimp Guardian today.

Watch the video below to see Motambo and the other chimps experience their new island home for the first time.

Today we would like to share with you the story of a special chimp named Motambo.

When authorities responded to a tip off about a boat arriving with smuggled cargo they had no idea the cargo would contain a small, sick chimpanzee in desperate need of help. Motambo was rescued from the exotic pet trade by local NGO PALF, and brought to Tchimpounga Sanctuary in a horrific condition.

“When Motambo arrived, suffering from the worst injuries we had ever seen, his condition was so dire we did not think he would survive.”

Motambo is lucky to be alive. All of the chimpanzees living at JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary have experienced past trauma, but the injuries inflicted on Motambo by his captors were some of the worst we had ever seen.

Little Motambo, only five years old, was suffering terribly from infected gashes, missing teeth and a broken collar bone and wrist. Worst of all, he couldn’t move his limbs or even open his mouth to eat or drink due to a severe tetanus infection gripping his tiny body.

We believe that the tetanus infection was caused by his wound from a snare trap, which was likely triggered as Motambo walked along the forest floor next to his mother. This is why he was named Motambo, which means snare in the local language, Lingala.

Bringing him back to life was not easy. But Motambo wanted to live.

Motambo received intensive, round-the-clock care from the veterinary staff at Tchimpounga and stayed in the hospital ward for two months while he recovered. Thankfully, the expert care of JGI’s staff was able to save Motambo’s life.

He now lives with other young chimpanzees at Tchimpounga, and has made a full recovery from his injuries. We are so happy that he was strong enough to pull through, but we wish that he had been left in the wild, with his family, where he truly belongs.

Motambo’s life was saved thanks to donations and support from people like you. But there are still many chimps in desperate need of your help.

When orphaned chimpanzees arrive at our Tchimpounga Sanctuary, we give them safe haven and the dedicated care they need for a second chance at life. Unable to be released back into the forest, we make this commitment for their entire lives which is an average of 60 years in captivity.

It takes a tremendous amount of resources to provide these fellow beings—our closest living relatives—with a lifetime of care.

Help us keep our promise of never turning a chimpanzee in need away.

You can help us care for these vulnerable chimpanzees by making a tax-deductible donation today.

As Dr. Jane Goodall discovered nearly 60 years ago, chimpanzees are so like us; complex and intelligent beings sharing much of our emotions like fear, compassion, and love. When considering these traits, one chimpanzee, in particular, stands out: Her name is Wounda. You may have seen Wounda in the Jane Goodall Institute video depicting what Dr. Jane Goodall calls one of the most extraordinary moments of her entire life. This embrace was seen around the world, affecting us on a universal level. Though Jane had just met Wounda, it was clear to both Dr. Goodall and Wounda that we are all connected, and that love lives beyond language or species.

But Wounda’s story did not begin with her meeting of Dr. Goodall, and now there’s a new chapter to her incredible tale…

Wounda enjoying her new life on Tchindzoulou Island

A process years in the making, the Jane Goodall Institute has finally completed the work to get a group of fifty chimpanzees, two groups of around twenty individuals, moved onto the Tchimpounga sanctuary island of Tchindzoulou. What some may not know from the initial Wounda video, is that this special chimpanzee was hugging Dr. Jane Goodall and thanking the JGI staff, like Dr. Rebeca Atencia who saved her life, as a response to being released onto this island, as she is one of the fifty who now call it home. These isolated island forests provide a more natural home safe from poachers, disease transmission and wild chimpanzees. Though the rescued chimps may never be able to be reintroduced into the wild, these islands are an important way to replicate a more natural way of life with other rescued chimpanzees in their social groups.

To ensure successful dynamics on the islands, JGI staff went through an extensive process. The two groups are made up of chimpanzees of both sexes and different ages, intending to replicate what a group of chimpanzees would look like in the wild. The two groups take turns spending the day in the forests of the island, and then return at dusk to sleep inside the housing facility on the island, which is conducive to a healthy and fulfilling life for all the chimpanzees.

Wounda, after all she has been through, is now the alpha female of one of these groups. Like all female chimps who live in Tchimpounga, Wounda received a long-term birth control implant, but as can occasionally occur, the birth control failed. She is now the capable and loving mother of an infant named Hope. Wounda has quickly adapted to her new forest home, and is forming deep bonds with the group of other rescued chimps. Chimps in her group often approach her to make gestures of submission and friendship to both Wounda and the alpha male Kefan, who is a close ally of hers. The female Koukele will occasionally approach Wounda to gently bite her arm, without causing any pain. This is a gesture that symbolizes trust between chimpanzees. Wounda always returns friendly gestures and caresses the chimpanzees who offer them.

Wounda’s best friend Kudia often plays with Hope and Hope in turn plays along with these subtle submissive communication behaviors. Hope is beginning to explore his surroundings, and though Wounda is protective of her infant and allows only close friends to interact with him, she is allowing more of the group to participate in the excitement of this new baby. Through all of our observations, it is still remarkable to remember that not so long ago, it was unclear if Wounda would live. Now, she’s brought new life into the world, and is a beloved chimpanzee in this sanctuary forest.

Wounda with her son on Tchindzoulou Island

The second phase of this process is the integration which will attempt to merge the two groups on Tchindzoulou. The process is highly complex and every detail is being considered, including the hierarchy of chimpanzees, their sex, their origin, if they have previous relationships with other chimps, and their personalities. This will help the JGI staff recognize which chimpanzees will be introduced to one another in a certain order.

For Wounda, and all of the rescued chimpanzees in Tchimpounga sanctuary, this is a second chance.

Each day you live, you have a choice as to what kind of difference you want to make. Please support the Jane Goodall Institute and the work of Dr. Jane Goodall to help give chimps like Wounda a second chance, and to help us continue our process of integrating this and other groups of Tchimpounga chimps. Unfortunately, Wounda’s story is not unique. JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary continues to keep its promise to never turn orphaned chimps away, we’ve taken in beautiful souls like Little George. This baby chimp deserves the chance Wounda received thanks to your support (learn more about baby George here.)

George, new arrival at the JGI Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center, November 2017.

Become a Chimpanzee Guardian today to support chimpanzees like Wounda and George. As a part of the program you will receive monthly updates on the chimps, a customized Chimpanzee Guardian certificate, a bio card of one of the Tchimpounga chimpanzees, a chimpanzee plush, and for Guardians giving over $57 a month, an exclusive Wounda art print.