Limbe Wildlife Centre

Category: Anne Sofie Meilvang, Cameroon, Chimpanzee, rehabilitation | Date: Sep 22 2009 | By: limbewildlifecentre

The three baby chimpanzees, which were confiscated from a logging camp in May, have finally moved out of quarantine. They spent a longer time in quarantine than our animals normally do because we found some strange lumps on their stomachs when we did their first health check. We were afraid that these could be tuberculosis lumps. Fortunately, after doing several tests and examinations, our vet team found out that the lumps were caused by worms which could be treated. This meant that the babies could be moved.

Tikar, the biggest, went directly to the big enclosure with the adult chimpanzees where he is now slowly being introduced. He moved there together with Mbam, a male from the baby group, who was getting too big and too strong to stay with the other babies. When Mbam first came to the satellite cages with all the adult chimpanzees, he was very scared. The adults were very excited about the newcomers and screamed very loudly. Mbam refused to let go of Killi, his keeper from quarantine. But the day after he was fine and had made good friends with Tikar.

The two smallest chimpanzee babies, Ntui and Ngambe, are now in the baby chimp enclosure together with Mayos, a young female. They still need milk twice a day and are too small to be introduced to the adults. They really enjoy their new life, and spend the whole day playing with each other and on the climbing structures. Mayos seems to be very happy about her new friends. She is normally a bit shy and unsecure, but now that she is the one who has been in the baby enclosure the longest, she acts very confidently. The first day Ngambe and Ntui were outside she showed them around and taught them how to use the climbing structures.

 In the picture you see Ngambe  

And here Ntui

Best wishes,

Sofie