The sounds come from different directions. A shrill sound of a chimpanzee and the response of others that denote fear. Others are more strident in many voices and of a very peculiar kind. In the night the sound are different:  the roar of many big cats. Toto, newcomer chimpanzee to GAP Sanctuary in Sorocaba, coming from Leme Zoo, sits on the door of his room to listen better and try to identify in his memory what those sounds remind.

Now, perhaps, we will understand why Toto stayed as a refugee one week on the darker side of the enclosure without leave. He thought he was dreaming. Those sounds took him many years ago in his childhood, when he lived in Bwana Park Zoo, in Rio de Janeiro, which was closed by IBAMA for mistreating of the animals.

For the latest information collected, it does indicate that Toto is the son of Peter and Tata, who live within 500 meters of him, along with aunt Judy and Marcelino and Michael, his brothers born in the Sanctuary.

According to what was told us, Toto used to be hit by his father and was separated, ending at Leme Zoo, to accompany Gimba, female chimpanzee who had been alone after the death of her companion Chicão.

Peter is a stern father, perhaps even too much. He is very jealous of his family with other chimpanzees who live nearby. He usually messes up with Jeber and Tyson, who live on the front, and Bongo, who lives next door. He had already trouble with Martin, when he was his neighbor, hurt his hand when he stuck a concrete block for a fight with the neighbor and took a bite.

Toto may remember more than anything gibbons (Siamangs), who have a peculiar and prolonged scream that you hear miles away. The group of gibbons of the Sanctuary also lived at Bwana Park, excepted for a baby who was born in the Sanctuary. They lived opposite the family of Peter and disturbed all the neighbors.

Toto is in treatment for possible bleeding stomach ulcer, with emotional disposition, afterhe stayed alone with the death of Gimba at the Zoo.

When we can get him to normality, then, perhaps, we will draw him close to his family. However, we are not sure whether he will be recognized and Peter will accept. We do not know how old he was when they were separated. We can create an even greater stress. Maybe it’s better for him to forget his sad and turbulent past and start a new life with friends met in the Sanctuary, who are curious and want to be with him.

From the heights of the basket of his enclosure, Pedrinho claps for the attention of the possible friend. Toto does not mind it. Sitting on his bedroom door, he let his mind flow away, trying to identify the genesis of his memories of his forgotten past.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian

President, GAP Project International