ZAMBIA, AFRICA

The alert voice echoed in the morning: “Sandy’s group escaped”. This time it was not possible to preview a possible escape, as long as one of the daily duties of the staff at Chimfunshi is to walk around each enclosure and check for broken fences, over-hanging trees or new chimpanzee inventions that might promote an escape. Now they have to look for them: Sandy, a big male chimpanzee of more than 75 kilos, his partner Cleo, his teenager son Colin and Chrissy, a baby.

Sandy did not go far. Maybe he knew it was better to stay near the place that feeding and security were guaranteed than walking through the forest and its dangers. Innocent Mulenga, the manager, grabbed the dart gun, got near Sandy and shot. It had immediate result. Sheila Siddle, the sanctuary’s owner, who has 30 years of experience with escapes and recaptures, was relieved. To contain Sandy would not be easy if he had decided to take other ways.

During three days, three teams of the sanctuary walked into the nearby forest to find out the three runaways, but were not successful. People who lived in villages nearby were warned. Some people put fire into the woods, to force the chimpanzees to appear, but this procedure was not advised by the sanctuary, as long it was too dangerous that the fire spread and the chimpanzees – who are afraid of it – would enter more deeply into the forest.

In the third day, at 11:30am, the radio sounded the news: “The group was founded”. The team of keeper Jacob, who found them walking in the woods, called Cleo, who welcomed him with joy, even more when she saw he had water and fruits. Cleo, carrying her baby, came towards them. They took the cage, put the water and fruits inside and moved it near her. Temptation was strong and Cleo and her baby entered and were locked. As a male teenager, Collin did not think the same way and wanted to enjoy more time the sudden freedom. He climbed a tall tree and Jacob was afraid to shot him with a dart and cause him to fall and get hurt. It was better to be patient and wait. Fruits and water were put around the tree. Colin was tired and decided to go down to eat the food. At this moment Jacob was able to shot him with the anesthetic dart, put him into the cage and transfer him safely to the sanctuary.

An adventure – with a happy end – had ended, as Sheila tells in her memorable book. This won’t be their last escape. Chimpanzees are always planning their next movement.

Dr. Pedro A Ynterian
President, GAP Project International