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Ndeze is thriving – with Ndakasi – in the Senkwekwe Center

The Senkwekwe Center – the home of our two gorilla orphans Ndeze and Ndakasi – is almost complete. You will recall that we raised funds to finish the Senkwekwe Center to turn it from a 40mx40m facility, into a lush forest custom-built sanctuary of 1 hectare (2.5 acres).

This is the perimeter wall of the Senkwekwe Center, that is now complete and is being rendered both inside and out. An electric fence will run along the top of it – there is 400 meters of wall in total.

These are the builders rendering the wall. We have used the same bricks as those used for building the primary schools around the Gorilla Sector. We make the bricks on site which facilitates construction enormously.

This building sits at the top of the site and is one of the entrances into the Senkwekwe Center. There are 4 rooms: a veterinary intervention room, a veterinary office/lab, a storeroom and a room for the carers.

When you have entered through the building in the previous photo, you get to this, which is 4 cages. All the cages are joined and all will have water fountains. This facility is actually built for 4 adult Mountain Gorillas – and the idea is that Ndeze and Ndakasi, in the near future, have less human contact as they grow bigger.

Here I am just documenting all the construction, and the vast mounds of earth that have to be moved! The Senkwekwe Center is built on a very steep incline, so we need to make sure there is good drainage because of the heavy rains.

It really is a mammoth project – but as soon as the money hit the account we were ready to go, and the walls and building have gone up in under 2 months. This has been helped by 2 months of dry season, which is just coming to an end. We hope to have the facility fully functioning by the first week of October.

Thanks again to all of you who made this happen from a financial perspective. And thanks to the ongoing support of the Gorilla Doctors Jan and Eddy and Katie at DFGFI in making this all become a reality.

I will keep you posted!

Ndakasi - one of Congo’s two orphan mountain gorillas - turned three on 15 April 2010 despite a traumatic and difficult start to life when her mother was killed in June 2007.

Rangers found little Ndakasi clinging to her mother’s breast, in shock and very frightened, and suffering from pneumonia. Today Ndakasi climbs trees, explores her surroundings at the Senkwekwe Centre, and has a very healthy appetite.

She is also strong, feisty and playful - and has become inseparable from Ndeze, the other gorilla orphan.

Ndakasi now weighs 23 kilos, and enjoys a diet of forest food (wild banana, celery, bamboo and urera) and market food (leeks, oranges, pineapple and mango, to name a few).

She is cared for by Andre Bauma, the chief gorilla carer. Both Ndakasi and Ndeze’s robust health is a tribute to the carers, the Gorilla Doctors and the Rangers. Mountain gorillas are extremely difficult to care for in captivity - let alone when they are taken from the wild so young (Ndeze and Ndakasi were not even 3 months old).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NDAKASI!

Ndeze & Ndakasi continue to thrive in their new forest home, the Senkwekwe Centre. Here is some video footage shot by Andre on a Handycam and edited by Katya. Already it seems as if their life in noisy Goma never happened. It is all strangely serene and natural.

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When the orphans first moved to the Senkwekwe Centre we thought the baboons may be a problem as they can be so aggressive and there are lots of them here. But a few electric shocks from the wire fence has scared them off, fortunately. The Colobus monkeys have also been curious, but Ndeze has now started to try and chase them away, or shake the trees from which they are peering on down.

Interestingly Ndeze has started building gorilla nests in the tree tops, thus exhibiting normal gorilla behavior. Ndakasi’s hair - that was a reddy color - is becoming more and more black. And neither orphan has suffered any health problems since they arrived here on 1st December 2009.

There have been some glitches. We have had a couple of major storms here at Rumangabo that have blow the electrics of the entire park station. This means that for a time the electric fence has stopped working (this fence is more to keep animals out, rather than Ndeze and Ndakasi in). But we have now installed additional equipment, both at the Senkwekwe Centre and also where the main generator is for the station, so we hope that this will not happen again.

We have also had a huge amount of rain since early February, and some water has been entering under the door of the gorilla house. And there are also some signs of humidity in the clean room of the gorilla house. But both of these issues are also being dealt with right now. We need to dig channels (that will not wash away with the heavy rain) to divert the water, and also erect additional roofing on the gorilla house.

Today I gave the 4 gorilla carers new uniforms that I brought from the UK that I purchased last month with donations made on this website. You will see photos shortly but they look extremely smart in their new forest green outfits. I also bought up a bicycle today from Goma to make it a bit easier for the carers to fetch their drinking water. Water for cleaning, cooking and washing comes from the roof of the gorilla house (it goes into a tank) but we need source water for human and gorilla consumption.

Thanks again everyone for your support on this project. Construction for the next phase will be starting very soon!

Finally some good news! The only 2 orphan baby mountain gorillas in the world are going to get the home they deserve, a stone’s throw from their natural habitat in Virunga National Park, eastern DR Congo.

Ndakasi and Ndeze, the females orphaned in mid 2007 when their mothers were massacred, will be able to fully enjoy life in a custom-built forest home with their 4 carers, Andre, Patrick, Alfred and Richard.

Ndeze & Ndakasi have been living in a new forest home since December 2009 after moving there from the dusty and noisy city of Goma. But it is only partially complete - in actual fact it is a 40 by 40 meter holding facility - and now with the additional funding we will be able to finish it off.

We will also be able to facilitate a comprehensive educational outreach program, especially for the communities living around the Gorilla Sector. In addition, we will ensure that para-veterinary facilities are provided to care for the gorilla orphans, and the other wildlife in Virunga.

This is possible thanks to many of you, who gave both big and small - but the final push was thanks to The Howard G Buffett Foundation. Mr Howard Buffett visited Rumanagabo, Virunga’s HQ, back in December (he was in fact the first visitor on the viewing platform), and has since donated $80,250. These monies, combined with the funds raised on this website BY YOU, will be doubled by the UN Foundation, giving the total of $211,500.

All your donations have been listed on the blog. In total we raised over $30,000 between 16 November 2009, when the campaign was launched, and the end of the year through the website. Thank you to all, and also to the Gorilla Godparents of Ndeze and Ndakasi.

This diagram - which some of you have already seen - gives an idea of what the Senkwekwe Centre will look like once it is completed. We will kickstart construction next month.

Very special thanks to all of you who made this happen:

The Murry Foundation - who got the project off the ground in the very beginning, back in July 2008.

Gearing Up 4 Gorillas - who introduced us to The Murry Foundation and has also provided valuable funding and support.

Raemonde Bezenar - who gave us money when the project stalled after the war, a critical time.

The Howard G Buffett Foundation - the final push - thank you very much.

The United Nations Foundation & UNESCO - who are doubling the money from our web campaign and The Howard G Buffett Foundation.

AND YOU - who all donated via the website or sent checks.

THANK YOU.

Now watch this space to see the construction unfold.

This is the most recent video of Ndeze and Ndaksi - the 2 orphan baby mountain gorillas - in their new home, the Senkwekwe Centre. It is now 2 months since they moved to their forest abode, away from the grime and noise of the city of Goma. The transfer went smoothly, as you all know, and the first 2 months have also gone without any major incident. In short, Ndeze and Ndakasi’s adaptation to their new surroundings has been easy.

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Andre and the other carers always have a camera that shoots video and stills, so there is ample documentation of Ndeze and Ndakasi’s new life. You can also see the climbing structure within the enclosure (that Andre has not quite finished but will have soon!). It is remarkable how the gorilla orphans have already destroyed a lot of the vegetation in the enclosure. We look forward to extending the enclosure… starting in March!

More coming soon on the Senkwekwe Centre…

Thank you for your donations between 19th December and today (about an hour ago) to the Senkwekwe Centre - the new home of Ndeze and Ndakasi. Here they are listed below, with the largest donation first.

Ndeze enjoying life here in Virunga

This brings our campaign to a close. THANK YOU TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU WHO HAS DONATED. I will do a tally in coming days with the checks we have also received, but we have raised OVER $30,000 since the campaign launched mid November. These funds came from OVER 450 PEOPLE.

The UN Foundation will be doubling this money - so in total we have raised OVER $60,000 for the Senkwekwe Centre. Thank you.

Susanna B, $500.00, Open Donation; ARPAIS DU B, $300.00, Open Donation; Deena O, $150.00, Open Donation; David S, $100.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi, Open Donation; Sonia T, $100.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi, Open Donation; Mette J, $100.00, 2 x Foster Ndeze, 2 x Foster Ndakasi; sergio m, $100.00, 5 x Veterinary Support; John N S, $100.00, Open Donation; G R H, $100.00, Open Donation; Sherri M, $100.00, Open Donation; Jonathan H, $74.00, 2 x Gorilla Orphan Toys & Kit, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Rosemarie B, $62.00, 1 x Gorilla Orphan Toys & Kit, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Giuseppe C, $60.00, 1 x Gorilla Observation Platform, 1 x Veterinary Support, Open Donation; Heidi N, $50.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; A. Carlo M, $50.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Gearing Up 4 Gorillas, $50.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Gearing Up 4 Gorillas, $50.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Linda N, $50.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze, 1 x Foster Ndakasi; Kathleen D, $50.00, Open Donation; Esther R, $45.00, 3 x Support the Senkwekwe Centre; Hayez V, $32.00, 1 x Gorilla Orphan Toys & Kit, 1 x Gorilla Orphan Education; Chaylin H, $30.00, Open Donation ; laurent de z, $25.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze ; John M, $25.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze; Cheryl K, $25.00, 1 x Foster Ndeze; Itay Y, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 1; hedwige de m, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 10; patricia d, 6F3C92F2ZFBD $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 112; Esther E, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 13; Caroline N, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 179; Jessica F, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 20; Charles F, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 203; Kathy S, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 28; sherri k, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 28; Sofie Van V, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 30; Cherez T, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 34; scott l, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 38; William W, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 39; lindy f, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 4; Vanessa C, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 48; Rita B, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 51; Maria F, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 53; Pirjo I, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 55; Tonia W, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 6; Pirjo I, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 61; Jennifer L, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 62; Itay Y, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 65; gerard g, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 66; Black Circle Technology, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 70; Anna C, $25.00, Protect Park Area no. 8; Samantha B, $22.00, 1 x 10 Bricks for the Wall, 1 x Gorilla Orphan Toys & Kit; Stian D, $20.00, Open Donation; Deena O, $20.00, Open Donation; Two Cats Productions, $20.00, Open Donation; Jill S, $18.00, Open Donation; Caroline N, $15.00, 1 x Senkwekwe Appeal: Patrol Rations; Michelle P, $15.00, 1 x Support the Senkwekwe Centre; Joyce KG, $15.00, 1 x Support the Senkwekwe Centre; Gearing Up 4 Gorillas, $15.00, Open Donation; Jarvis C, $15.00, Open Donation; Amy M, $10.00, Open Donation; Teresa E, $10.00, Open Donation; Eve AD, $10.00, Open Donation; Stephen P, $8.00, Open Donation; alberto g, $5.00, Open Donation; alberto g, $5.00, Open Donation.

This is your last chance to become a Gorilla Godparent to Ndeze and/or Ndakasi for 2010 and ensure that the Gorilla Orphans will be happy, healthy and safe for the year to come!

If you haven’t done so yet, please Foster Ndeze or Foster Ndakasi using the Donate button on the right hand side. We will then send you a unique personalized certificate.

Your donation will be matched DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR by the UN Foundation.

This is what the certificates look like:

A big thank you to Philippa who has not only designed the certificates but also sent out the personalized versions every day. Philippa helps us out in the UK - and we very much take advantage of her access to a speedy internet connection.

Also - Gearing Up 4 Gorillas has some Gorilla Calendars left to sell on their website - all the proceeds go to the Senkwekwe Center! If you are interested please go to their website. The calendars can be posted pretty much anywhere in the world.

Thank you again everyone for your support, on behalf of all of us here in Virunga.

I am away til the 30th - but as soon as I return I will be posting a summary of the campaign. Your support has been generous, timely and much, much appreciated. Thank you.

Happy Holidays!

Ndeze - enjoying her new life in the Senkwekwe Center.

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.

Like this!

Patrick cleans out the water tank where the rain water from the roof of the Gorilla House is collected. This is very much an ongoing chore. This water is used for cleaning the Gorilla House, washing clothes and showering. The area as you know though is very forested so we had problems initially with the leaves getting into the tank and making the water dirty. We have now attached a sieve at the top of the pipe to make sure the leaves don’t get in. But one of the carers’ many duties is to clean the tank and the roof regularly. They take it in turns!

The water to drink for the carers and Ndeze & Ndakasi comes from a well about 1km away. Andre or another carer goes there twice a week to get that with gerry cans.

If you would like to read a little more about Patrick please to to his profile on the site! He is one of the 4 Gorilla Carers who take care of Ndeze & Ndakasi.

Here is a plan of the Senkwekwe Centre, as drawn by Katya. It’s fairly self-explanatory, but you can see the observation platform that is already complete at the top (east). The thick black lines are those of the walls that are already complete. As you know we are still raising the funds for the Education Center and Veterinary Laboratories. And of course the Gorilla Sector, aka Mikeno Sector, is only a stone’s throw away!

Thanks for all your support on behalf of all the Rangers in Virunga.