Chimpanzee Bico is the second chimpanzee from Lebanon who is rescued and taken to a Brazilian sanctuary affiliated to GAP Project. The first one was Omega, about two years ago. Both Omega and Bico had been rescued by NGO Animals Lebanon and were taken to Paraná sanctuary, supported by Anami Institute.

Bico left Lebanon last Thrusday and arrived at the sanctuary on Friday, November 23. Difficulties in aerial conexions and the political instability in the region postponed Bico’s travel for some time. But now he is already free of the terrible reality he used to face – Bico had been kept in a nine square meter cage for the last six years at a private zoo when animal welfare organization Animals Lebanon was notified about him.

“His mother was killed and he was smuggled to Lebanon only to be sold from a pet shop before ending up alone in a cement room at the zoo, giving him a sanctuary with other chimpanzees in a natural setting is the least he deserves”, affirms Lana El-Khalil, President of Animals Lebanon.

Bico is going to pass for one month of quarantine, a pattern that should be followed when an animal is transferred from one place to another, and will be accompanied by veterinarians and by the team of the sanctuary, with the purpose of being slowly integrated with the other chimpanzees of the sanctuary.