Chimpanzee Yoko has passed the halfway mark of his quarantine, and the adaptation process at the Great Apes Sanctuary of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil is progressing well!

The Sanctuary team reports that Yoko has already adjusted to the daily routine, as well as to the caregivers and veterinarians. He spends his days relaxed in his enclosure, freely moving between the open area and the indoor quarters. He eats very well and enjoys relaxing in a “nest” made of hay.

Currently, the main expectation revolves around how he will react when given the opportunity to interact with another chimpanzee at close range. So far, he listens to other animals and appears attentive. However, his behavior reflects a history of humanization and deprivation of contact with other chimpanzees. The goal is to reverse this condition while respecting the time he needs for his “new lifestyle” to establish itself naturally.

After just over two weeks at the Sanctuary, Yoko is already considered a beloved and gentle chimpanzee by everyone. He communicates with people, responds to calls, and is very affectionate. The hope now is that he will feel comfortable with one or more companions (and vice versa), allowing him to fully enjoy the quality of life that a captive chimpanzee deserves.