Page 49 - LIN DEC WEB

Certificates for staff
after completing
Lee Ann with Project
President and Founder,
Bala Amaraasekaran
Lee Ann and Mama P - mother to all the
Life in Naples | December 2021
training weeks to assist staff to problem solve some of these issues and
provide capacity building in managing chimpanzee social
groups though changing social dynamics.
In the nursery and quarantine area of the sanctuary there
were 32 babies between 6 months and 5 years old. That is a lot
of babies that have lost their moms. When they are rescued,
often the babies are very traumatized and each one takes time
to adjust. I was working with one little baby named Lungi.
He was confiscated at the airport from someone trying to
illegally export him out of the country. He had a fracture in his
left arm and was very leery of people. This most likely means
that his journey before arriving to Tacugama was not a good
one. We did his health check while I was there, and I held him
while he was waking up. He let himself be comforted and did
not immediately move away when he woke up, which was a
good sign. When I was holding him, it made me think that he
most likely had not been held or heard a comforting heartbeat
since losing his chimpanzee mom. It’s heartbreaking to think
about what this little boy has been through, but I’m also so
thankful he was rescued and is now at Tacugama where he will
get the love and support that he needs to recover.
Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is a wonderful
organization that is not only providing a home for rescued
chimpanzees, but also working with the national parks in
Sierra Leone to protect the remaining wild chimpanzees.
Through community outreach, training on sustainable living,
and ecotourism, there is hope in protecting the estimated
6,000 wild chimpanzees living in forests throughout Sierra
Leone.
My time in Tacugama was very special and it was hard
to leave both the staff and chimpanzees. I am so grateful to
the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance for recommending me
and supporting this trip, to Tacugama for hosting me and to
Naples Zoo for allowing me the time to assist in the
field. I am a firm believer that traveling
and challenging yourself with experiences
outside your comfort zone are good
for the soul and make you appreciate
the simple things that life has to offer.
Chimpanzees will always hold a special
place in my heart. They are intelligent,
strong, funny, emotional beings that are so
much like us. One of the most important
lessons that I teach staff working with
chimpanzees is to speak their language.
Chimpanzees have many vocalizations and
facial expressions. They laugh, cry, smile, greet
When you take the time to communicate with
and hug their friends and so much more.
a chimpanzee in their language, the ability to
bond and build a relationship is amazing.
baby chimps in the nursery 49