Chimpanzees at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center are orphans ~ their mothers were killed for the illegal ape meat trade. Hunters captured them as young babies, often still clinging to their mothers’ bodies, to sell as "pets" or hotel “mascots”. Some of the orphans at the Sanaga-Yong Center were rescued as infants, soon after they were taken from the forest by hunters. Others languished in strict, debilitating confinement for decades before getting their second chance for a life of joy and dignity at Sanaga-Yong.
No matter their individual history, each orphan has suffered terribly. Some have been physically handicapped. All have deep emotional scars that take
At Sanaga-Yong Center, the chimpanzees live in lush, forested enclosures ~ free to climb trees, run, jump, and laugh and to form strong, loving bonds. Each finds his/her place within a social group and is given the opportunity to grow into the beautiful, healthy, happy individual he or she could never have become in captivity.
Sponsoring a chimpanzee helps provide their food,
With your monthly donation (6 months or more) of
Sponsorships make great gifts! Updates are sent to both you, the donor, and the friend or family member in whose name the sponsorship is made. 100% of donations support the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center.
Baati |
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Bikol Bikol, “the king” in the local dialect, was rescued in December 1999 from a village where he was tied by wire to a chair. He had deep wounds around his waist and almost died. Like Nama, Bikol has lighter hair than most chimpanzees. He is the “thinker” in his family group of 26 chimpanzees. Sponsor Bikol |
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Gabby Gabby was only four months old when he arrived at the Center in January 2000, severely wounded from the shotgun blast that killed his mother. Gabby is small for his age and has always enjoyed a sort of social immunity. No one ever challenges him and all the adults, including alpha male Jacky, love him. Sponsor Gabby |
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Cindy In August 2001, Cindy was rescued from a truck-driver. With a severe respiratory infection and diarrhea, Cindy almost died. Today, she is strong and independent, spending most of her days in the trees, playing and laughing with her friends. But she still likes to spend time |
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Nama Est. |
Nama was pinned to the ground by a short neck chain for 16 years before her rescue in May 2000. She is the smallest adult at the Center, but her courage and wisdom are unsurpassed. Diplomat and
Foe
Male,
Foe (pronounced Foh ea) was locked in a tiny chicken-wire cage, without hugs, caresses or proper nutrition, for nearly a year. When he arrived at the Sanaga-Yong Rescue Center he was malnourished, weak and uncoordinated. But with love and tender care
Moabi
Est. birth year1999
Moabi arrived at Sanaga-Yong in March 2000 with extensive head injuries from a hunter’s machete. After three surgeries, Moabi survived. For his strong spirit, he is named after the Moabi tree, one of the strongest trees in Cameroon, but he has a soft and gentle nature. As he approaches puberty, he’s getting quite big. Sponsor Moabi
See photo of
Jacky
Est. birth year1963
Jacky is the respected and beloved alpha male of his family of 26 chimpanzees. Kept alone in a small cage at a hotel for three decades before his rescue in 1999, Jacky has shown an amazing innate capacity for leadership. He lost his vision to cataracts during 2002 and 2003 and had it restored by surgery in January 2004. Sponsor Jacky
Read more about Jacky
Kiki Jackson
Est.
Kiki endured at least 15 years in a dark, concrete cell and came very close to starving to death before his rescue in June 2000. He has struggled
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Jimi
Est. birth July 2001
Jimi was rescued and brought to Sanaga-Yong in July 2005. She had been kept as a "pet" and endured severe physical abuse which resulted in a shoulder injury that has left her disabled. Jimi is a very sweet girl and often cares for her friend Akiba who is just a couple years younger. Sponsor Jimi
Read more about Jimi
Akiba
Est. birth July 2003
Akiba was brought to the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in March 2004, when she was less than eight months old. She was dehydrated and so weak she could only hold her head up for a few seconds at a time. With loving care and nutrition, Akiba has blossomed. She lives in the nursery with eight other orphans and loves to swing on the trees and play chase. Akiba means “thank you” in one of the local Cameroon dialects. Sponsor Akiba
Massamba
Est. birth January 2002
Massamba was transported from Angola in May 2004 where he lived with his family before his mother was killed for bushmeat. He was confiscated from a hunter. Massamba loves the other juveniles but his sweet and sensitive nature is most apparent in his gentle interactions with blind adult male Chouki. Sponsor Massamba
Chouki
Approx. DOB 1992
Chouki had been kept as a "pet" until he was seven years old. He was then “donated” to a sanctuary where attempts to integrate him with a chimpanzee unit resulted in him being attacked by prominent chimpanzees and his eyelids were damaged. When he arrived at Sanaga-Yong Center he had little vision remaining and today is completely blind. He lives with his friend Kiki Jackson and eight juveniles.
Sponsor Chouki
Yoko
Est. birth January 2004
Yoko was emaciated and
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Yoko (r) is shown here with his friend Zach (l).
Tic
Est. birth November 2002
Tic is one of
Read more about Tic
Est. Birth May 2002
Mintak
Est. birth June 2003
Read more about
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Milou
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We invite you to join our worldwide family united in our struggle for the wild and majestic great apes of Cameroon.