April 18, 2019

The Mandrill Release Program

by Vern Johansson, JGI Canada Volunteer

On the outskirts of Conkouati-Douli National Park, in the Republic of Congo, there is a small village called Nkola. The Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga team have visited this village several times over the years, working together with community members to live sustainably at nature’s edge. And yet, this is where the team found a male mandrill, chained to a pole, crying out. Local villagers are aware of laws against the possession of mandrills as pets. They also know enforcement of these laws is less strict outside the park.

The young mandrill had been left alone, chained to a pole.

The Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary is recognized for the rescue, care and rehabilitation of more than 130 orphaned chimpanzees. Less known is that Tchimpounga is also home to the Mandrill Release Program where these vulnerable primates are rescued and rehabilitated so they too can be released back into the freedom of the rainforest. JGI has successfully reintroduced several mandrills into Conkouati-Douli National Park and JGI staff are monitoring the animals’ health and movements.

Since being rescued, the young male found in Nkola has been named Dila, meaning “to cry” in the local Monokutuba language. Dila is being well looked after by the caregivers at Tchimpounga and after a short time in quarantine will be introduced to the group of mandrills currently at the sanctuary. These monkeys will eventually be released into a remote part of the national park, far from human communities.

The Mandrill Release Program is an example of how the Jane Goodall Institute is engaged in the important work of saving and protecting primates. Find out more about how JGI protects endangered species.

Photo credits: Fernando Turmo