Future not bright for two at Chimp Eden
Not even one per cent of the estimated money required to build a safer enclosure for two primates at the sanctuary has been raised.
MBOMBELA – With only R15 000 raised so far, the future for chimpanzees Nikki and Amadeus looks grim.
These primates at the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), Chimp Eden are facing possible euthanasia after a second attack on a human within a two-year period. Despite a decision that the animals would be put down early in May, JGI South Africa announced on May 9 that it would look at the possibilities of keeping them alive.
One of the options would be to erect a more secure enclosure, but this would require an estimated US$260 000 (or R2,6 million). “We are fast running out of time,” JGI spokesperson, Ms Margi Brocklehurst said on Thursday morning. JGI has been approached by a possible local sponsor for fencing. According to Brocklehurst, JGI has advised a local fencing company about the specifications and that they would see if this could lead to a sponsorship.
There has been significant public outrage about the decision of an ethics committee regarding the fate of the chimpanzees.
This committee is made up of members of the JGI South Africa, Chimp Eden and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
Read about the attack here and the subsequent questions about the fate of the primates.
To donate:
Donations may be made through Givengain at https://www.givengain.com/cause/4110/ Reference: Save Our Chimps
