Rakker and Simon (Sam) came from the Netherlands a decade ago. They were brought up together, but Rakker did not have the same luck that Sam as a baby. They were introduced to a group of adult males and females to be integrated. Sam was accepted but Rakker was very beaten, especially by female chimpanzees, and was saved by a miracle. He had been treated and underwent some operations for two years. Therefore, he developed a special affection for his human handlers, who entered in the enclosure with him daily.

Esmay, his former handler, sent a message yesterday -June 29 – to remind us that Rakker was completing 26 years old that day. Immediately the Sorocaba Great Apes Sanctuary prepared a custom cake for him to sing Happy Birthday!

Rakker is still very attached to humans and always seeks contact with the handlers who visit him frequently.

Sam is different; he remains the great friend and Rakker’s  guard, as he defended him in the same way when he was a baby and suffered the attack, but has other interests.

Sam is interested in his female neighbor, Francis, who was widowed months ago when Charlie died unexpectedly. Francis does not like Rakker, she is jealous of the friendship between him and Sam.

To ease the situation, Sam spends two weeks with Francis and a week with Rakker, because the attempt to put the three together did not work.

The same human conflicts we are familiar with reproduce daily also in the chimpanzee world and the management of these conflicts is a compelling need to reduce suffering and make their spend their captive life at least with a minimum of happiness.

Dr. Pedro  A. Ynterian

General Secretary, GAP Project International