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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
The Job of a Gorilla Carer: Andre, Patrick, Alfred & Richard
This post is from Andre Bauma, Chief Gorilla Carer at the Senkwekwe Center:
We are a group of 4 carers here at the Senkwekwe Center, each of us devoted to our work. I work with Richard, Patrick & Alfred.
It will soon be 3 years since we started looking after these baby orphan mountain gorillas. At the beginning it was quite difficult; we felt under a lot of pressure because we were the only ones on whom Ndeze and Ndakasi could rely. Their welfare and their happiness lay in our hands.
Patrick & I with the gorilla orphans
So we offer Ndeze and Ndakasi the affection that they would have received from their mothers. We are as affectionate and loving toward Ndeze and Ndakasi as we would be toward our own children. Like all parents, we are proud of Ndeze and Ndakasi and we want them to grow up to be strong and healthy.
It fills us with great joy in our hearts when we see the orphans playing together. The memory of their rescue from the forest is still fresh in our minds.
One of our jobs is to build and maintaint the climbing structures
So, as their mothers would have done (in their own way), we have changed their nappies, we have given them the bottle, and we have sat up day and night when they have been sick. And, as their fathers would have done, we have been attentive to the slightest cry or shout.
We cannot replace Ndeze and Ndakasi’s biological parents. But we will always consider them our children.
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- Motorola spent $880000 lobbying in second quarter - The Associated Press
- Uphill task to solve Congo's conflict minerals - Reuters Africa
- Nokia spent $150000 on lobbying in second quarter - The Associated Press
- Mvelaphanda Holdings's Willcox Advising Zuma's Nephew on Congo Oil Blocks - Bloomberg
- Democratic Republic of Congo: Militia Leader Ordered Back to Jail - New York Times
- DiManno: Too easy to blame Africa's the white usurpers - Toronto Star
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8 Responses to “The Job of a Gorilla Carer: Andre, Patrick, Alfred & Richard”
Being a parent is, as we all know, the toughest job in the world. May you and your families, along with your very special ‘extra children’ have a safe, happy and prosperous New Year
Lang may yer lums reek!
Alexandra
At a time when wildlife is under threat in so many ways, you are all heroes. Best wishes for 2010. I hope you and your families, both human and gorilla, flourish and thrive.
All the best for you and your families, human and non-human. God bless you.
All the best for you and your families, humans and non-humans. God bless you.
You have all given the girls the best of care and it shows. Ndeze and Ndakasi are thriving and happy little gorillas. The trust and bond they have for each of you is something that will you will all carry with you forever. I admit that I envy you all that. Thank you Andre, Patrick, Alfred, and Richard for your dedication to these sweet girls and the love they are growing up with. You are all heroes in my eyes!
Beautifully written… thank you for everything you do.
Just had to say the efforts put forth in preserving and protecting the habitat of these awesome creatures are s o admirable. I look forward hearing about the developing progress in the coming new year especially with health monitoring. I wish you the guidance to overcome the conflicts so that these animals can live peacefully on the land God intended for them. And the perseverence to achieve your mission!
[...] mothers were massacred, will be able to fully enjoy life in a custom-built forest home with their 4 carers, Andre, Patrick, Alfred and [...]