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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Mapima, the baby female chimp seized today in Goma
I received a call this morning from the ICCN vet for Virunga Dr Arthur Kalonji. He told me that a friend of a friend of a friend had informed him of a chimp that was being kept illegally in Goma. After much digging he found out that an expat had actually purchased the chimp from a group of military, after he saw them mistreating it.
As soon as Mapima saw Dr Kalonji this morning she climbed up his leg and wouldn’t let go.
Now buying a chimp is illegal here in DR Congo, but the expat - who shall remain nameless - clearly thought he was doing the right thing. He then subsequently made contact, through the friend of a friend of a friend, so that ICCN could legally seize the chimp. That was the right thing to do.
Mapima has received veterinary care from Dr Kalonji who has deparasited her and treated some sores she had on her legs. Dr Kalonji thinks she got these from being tied up by the military. She has been extremely well treated by the expat.
So I went with Arthur this morning and he picked up Mapima, a baby girl who is aged between 7 to 10 months. She is now in the warm care of Faustin, the carer who also bonded with Tongo, the male chimp seized in August in an incredibly dramatic raid (in stark contrast of course to today).
Dr Kalonji is now working on the paperwork so ICCN can expedite Mapima to Jack, the chimp sanctuary run by Roxanne and Franck in Lubumbashi, in the south-east corner of the country.
Mapima is curious, but definitely stressed after her ordeal.
Mapima seems tiny - as a female of course she is much smaller than Tongo. She is also scared and we don’t know how long she was with the military guys before the expat bought her. One thing is for certain: she would have seen her family massacred before her very eyes. She now needs to be given the chance to recover from this trauma.
Faustin is now caring for Mapima. I am sure you remember him from the Tongo days. As soon as Mapima saw him she got excited and reached toward him. He clearly has a natural connection with chimpanzees. Just incredible.
Also, unfortunately Mapima is not the chimp that we posted about on Saturday. So there is still another chimp out there, also with the military. And we are still working on that.
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- UK complicit in bankrolling Congo conflict - The Guardian
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18 Responses to “Mapima, the baby female chimp seized today in Goma”
I’m so pleased you were able to rescue Mapima and that she’ll be going to JACK soon. I truly hope you’re able to find the other baby chimp soon. He or she must be suffering terribly.
Mapima is lovely, just look at those eyes. Faustin is the man! Thank you, Faustin, for taking such great care of Tongo and now Mapima.
Nice work, all!
s.
Thank you Samantha for relaying this rescue story to us. Mapima is darling. It’s sad to think that she had to go through the trauma of, more than likely, seeing her family killed before her eyes. A trauma, that all to many beings in DRC may be experiencing right now. It just breaks my heart. I’m glad she was safely rescued and will be going to JACK. We know she will get the very best of loving care there. Hopefully, the other chimp can be rescued soon and join her safely at JACK. I am remaining hopefully. Lisa
I’m so pleased to hear this bit of good news, even though the circumstances are distressing for all. I hope that you are able to rescue the other chimp that is known to be with the military. I really have a hard time understanding their callousness and disregard for life, both of the chimps/gorillas and of humans.
Pat
Mapima and Faustin are now both sound asleep
Oh my goodness what a beautiful baby girl Mapima is. Samantha she has your eyes!
God bless you, God bless you, God bless you!
Hi, You all are fantastic!!
She is beautiful………..such sweet eyes….thank you for saving and helping her to all involved…….giving this baby a second chance is important!
You guys are amazing. I am in awe of your dedication and resourcefulness. Thank you
What a sweet little chimp! I know chimps shouldn’t bought as it’s not only illegal but supports the trade in infants but I couldn’t have stood by and watch this baby mistreated either. I am thrilled Faustin is there to take care of Mapima as he did a wonderful job with Tongo. She is traumatized but she will do well at JACK with other chimps of her age. At least now she will be safe. Thank you so much for saving her and making sure she has a better life. God bless you all and good luck on locating the other baby.
When one knows in which state the country and the population are with this war, these deaths, these casualties and other misfortunes, it is “marvellous” to learn that baby female chimp was torn off hands of bad people to be neat with much love. Sincerely it is a very paradoxical image which comes to bring a small ray of the sun to our heart. All my admiration for the team.
Great news!!!! What a darling little chimp! She is incredibly beautiful. I’m so glad the expat rescued her and contacted ICCN. She’s in the best of hands now.
THANK YOU ICCN! Faustin is awesome.
[...] am pleased to say that Mapima the chimp who was rescued on Wednesday is doing well under the care of Faustin. We are busy arranging a [...]
You guys are amazing! good job! thank you for preserve these lovelly animals!
[...] Mapima & Faustin have now been together for 5 days. [...]
[...] you know about the latest little baby chimp who has arrived at JACK thanks to the help of Samantha. Mapima is the baby chimpanzee that was seized in Goma. You can read more about her on [...]
[...] and others - but I just wanted to let you all know that Mapima, our baby female chimpanzee who was seized is now at J.A.C.K. with Faustin and the other carers at the [...]
[...] the sanctuary in Lubumbashi that has taken confiscated chimps in the past (you all remember Tongo, Mapima and the Kivu Four). After 3 false starts (cancelled flights, chimps unwilling to go into cages - [...]