07/11/2014: Charlie, a nine-year old chimpanzee who lived in a zoo in Lebanon, arrived today at GAP Sanctuary of Paraná, maintained by Anami Conservationist Institute, Charlie is the third chimpanzee who comes from Lebanon to Brazil – Omega and Bico went to the same sanctuary in 2011 and 2012 respectively – and, according to the NGO Animals Lebanon, he was the last one living in captivity in the country.

Like the other two chimpanzees, Charlie was rescued by Animals Lebanon. His case had several legal setbacks and the NGO worked for eight years to release him from life in a cubicle zoo. “Charlie has had a miserable life, being pulled from his mothers dying body in some forest, smuggled out of Africa, on display in a pet shop, locked in a zoo and never seeing another chimpanzee,” said Jason Mier, executive director NGO, which saw Charlie for the first time with less than a year old and since then fight for his freedom.

After a quarantine period in the sanctuary, Charlie will be integrated with a group of chimpanzees. “His life will be much better as soon as he arrives to the sanctuary and joins a group of chimpanzees”, concludes Jason.

Quality of life in captivity: Sanctuary of Paraná is one of the four great primates sanctuaries affiliated to GAP Project in Brazil. In line with the ideas of the project, its mission is to provide shelter for chimpanzees who have been exploited and provide them with all the necessary resources and care seeking their quality of life in captivity system.

The transfer of Charlie, as other the ones of other chimpanzees who came out of Brazil, is a complex operation that is following all legal procedures for the importation of large primates. The goal is to ensure the safety of the chimpanzee and travelers and ensure his adaptation to the sanctuary premises. This transfer also demonstrates the importance of partnerships between countries of different continents in the work of defending the rights of great apes.

Charlie during the trip and the shipping box (Photo: Animals Lebanon and GAP)