April 21, 2021 A Pandemic Rescue for an Orphaned Chimpanzee by Rachel Gruber, Communications Manager at JGIC In September 2020, the Director of JGI’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre, Dr Rebeca Atencia, rescued an infant male chimp from a private residence in Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. He was orphaned and alone. Despite the hardship that we can only imagine he faced, the orphaned chimp was in good health. When rescued, he had a mild parasitic infection and initial anxious behaviour, due to the psychological trauma associated with being in captivity. Once he arrived at his new home at Tchimpounga he quickly relaxed. The hard times were behind him. His carers named him Covid, as a reminder that the fight for the protection of wild primates continues, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Once Covid completes his quarantine period, he’ll join the other youngsters at Tchimpounga – George, Kabi, Vienna, Tina, Ebelle, Perrine, and Zeze in the Nursery group. The hard days are behind him and we can’t wait to watch Covid thrive with his newfound family at Tchimpounga. Infant Covid playing in the foret at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center Covid and Ebelle are two babies of Tchimpounga nursery group. They are the best friends. All photographs by Fernando Turmo/JGI Support Rescued Chimpanzees Become a Chimp Guardian today and support rescued chimpanzees like Covid Become a Chimp Guardian Explore Related Content Illegal Wildlife Trade, News and Updates World Wildlife Day 2023: The Illegal Wildlife Trade and 50 Years of CITES April 21, 2021 Read more From The Field, Illegal Wildlife Trade Your Tchimpounga Sanctuary Questions, Answered! April 21, 2021 Read more Great Apes, Illegal Wildlife Trade Meet Perrine: Tchimpounga’s Rock April 21, 2021 Read more
