MBOMBELA – More than a quarter of a million US dollars could save two male chimpanzees at the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI) Chimp Eden, that are facing euthanasia.
The international public outcry following the announcement on May 8 that Nikki and Amadeus would be put down, prompted the institute to consider a possible alternative, said spokesperson Ms Margi Brocklehurst. JGI South Africa via Facebook on Friday, said it recognised the great concern for the well-being of these chimps, adding “we are appealing to the public to participate in a month-long fund-raising campaign that will hopefully secure enough funds to build a high-security enclosure for them”.
A minimum of R2,6 million would be required to build a special enclosure for the two primates. There are, however, many questions from members of the public about the incident, including these about the circumstances surrounding the attack, and specifics about what would happen if the fund-raising fell short of target.
Several readers asked what could be one of the most important questions – how Nikki managed to scale a 120-volt, electrified fence. According to the well-known chimp rescuer and star of the popular series Escape to Chimp Eden, Mr Eugene Cussons, no fence was 100 per cent “chimp proof”. “You have to remember that these animals are intelligent and can, for example, use materials within their environment to build ladders in order to get over a barrier.” He did add, though, that the one he had helped to erect at the sanctuary during his time as a board member, could render a fully grown male chimp unconscious within two to three seconds. Neither the JGI nor the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) responded to questions about this.
Furthermore, the fact that Amadeus, the alpha male of the group, did not participate in the attack caused many to ask why his life was also at stake. Both primates were involved in an attack on Mr Andrew Oberle in 2012, resulting in serious injury to the young American. Nikki had also suffered trauma after being shot and wounded by Cussons.
The victim of the most recent attack, Mr Andrew Francis, has been accused on social media that he, like Oberle had not acted according to security protocols. It had come to light that a family member of Francis posted on Facebook that he (Andrew), had “bent down to get his camera,” an act that has raised the ire of several primate lovers across the globe. Previous volunteers at the centre contacted Lowvelder and indicated that, in their experience, fence-line inspections took place before the animals were released from their holding cages in the mornings. Many expressed their concern about a lack of transparency from the institution regarding this. Neither JGI nor MTPA responded to questions about the time of the attack.
The parks agency stated that there was no incident report available, and the JGI only reiterated that the attack was unprovoked and Francis had acted completely within bounds on the day.
Another question posed by several supporters of Chimp Eden was whether the funds would, in fact, save Nikki and Amadeus. The institute responded that there was no guarantee and that it had requested a 30-day postponement of the euthanasia as a “last-ditch” attempt to save the animals. The decision about their fate doesn’t rest solely with JGI. An ethics committee comprising members of the MTPA as well as JGI, is responsible for making the call.
Perhaps of equal importance here is the question of what “saving” these chimps would mean? Although the institute did not respond to questions about the nature and design of the so-called “special enclosure”, Cussons speculated that it could mean that the two would be kept in isolation within a fully enclosed camp. “It could also mean that there would be no natural vegetation or trees with which they could devise a way to escape,” he said.
Amid all the questions and uncertainty, one thing remains certain – if the institute can’t raise the necessary funds within 30 days, authorities could insist on euthanasia of the “problem animals”. A total of R14 000 was raised in the past three days. But, says Brocklehurst to supporters and detractors alike, “We are sparing no effort to save our chimps. To those who have supported us, our heartfelt thanks”.
It isn’t clear how the funds will be used if the chimps are euthanised.
To donate:
Donations may be made through Givengain at https://www.givengain.com/cause/4110/ Reference: Save Our Chimps
