July 20, 2026

Lola, Nico, and the complex rescues that are only possible with your support

Photo: Paloma Corbi

Rescuing animals is only possible with careful planning, dedicated partners, and adaptable team members. (And the Jane Goodall Institute team is very adaptable!)

This year, the Jane Goodall Institute in the Republic of the Congo led the rescue efforts of Lola the chimpanzee and Nico the mandrill. They were both from Equatorial Guinea, and both were kept as pets.

To safely transfer them to our Tchimpounga Sanctuary, where they could get the care the needed and the second chance they deserved, many people needed to work together. This work included:

Preparation for transfer: The Jane Goodall Institute spent month after month planning with national governments and partners at the Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance, The Drill Project, and Lekedi Reserve.
Response to illnesses: When Lola the chimpanzee came down with an illness, the Jane Goodall Institute deployed veterinary nurse Dunez Mouaya to diagnose her parasites and provide treatment.
Careful travel: The Jane Goodall Institute decided to transport both Lola and Nico by road, instead of via air. This meant the team could better monitor their health.
Cross-border coordination: A second team from the Jane Goodall Institute waited in Gabon to help the main team make its way safely across the border.
International collaboration: The Jane Goodall Institute’s contacts in the government worked closely with Gabon’s government to provide an official escort across the country.
Road to recovery: After they spent several days on the road, Lola and Nico were welcomed by the veterinary team at the Tchimpouna Sanctuary. They are now able to get the care they need, and both are growing stronger with each passing day.

This kind of intense work and complex rescue is only possible with your support. To make sure the team can continue to rescue animals in need and care for our closest animal relatives, go to JaneGoodall.ca/Adopt.

Note: The Jane Goodall Institute does not endorse the handling of, or close proximity to, wildlife. These photos represent a sanctuary context with trained professionals, including wildlife veterinarians.