SWEET SANCTUARY ARRIVAL FOR MADAME THE CHIMP IS DUE TO EBOLA FEARS Madame sways from a tree branch with a sturdy laugh. She hasnt the slightest idea what the Ebola virus is or exactly how it led to her recent rescue, but the air smells good here at the sanctuary, and from the safety of her caretaker Killis lap, she can spot at least a dozen other chimpanzees. The odds of Madame every holding another chimpanzee in her arms were probably one in a million, until the latest outbreak of Ebola which has led to widespread concern over close contact with some wild animals who can contract the disease. Madame was turned over to forestry officials by her “owner” who claimed to have suddenly learned that it was illegal to keep a chimpanzee as a pet, a crime he claims to have been ignorant to up until now. But the timing suggests that Madame was turned over for a very different reason. Chimpanzees and gorillas can become infected with Ebola. Transmission of the disease to humans is most likely to come from those who stumble upon the carcass of a ape in the forest and take it home to eat. Hunting and eating an animal who is ill from the disease is just as deadly. There is growing public fear of any interaction with wild animals and this seems to have lead to the sudden surrender of Madame. Upon arrival, Madame was in overall good condition, however, she suffers from previous trauma in her right wrist, which was likely broken at the time of her capture, explains Ainare Idoiaga, Manager at the Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon.Due to this old trauma, Madame is not able to support herself or grasp with her right hand. Additionally, her bloated stomach and fever were signs of a parasite infestation, which was treated by our veterinary team. Madame has already begun to settle into her new home in quarantine, where she is receiving the care and nutrition that will help her to have a smooth introduction to the other chimpanzees. Madame is a very confident young chimpanzee, and already has a big personality, Ainare continues. She is extremely active, climbing tree branches, playing, and laughing loudly. Currently, Madame is receiving yogurt and infant cereal, which are important in order to replace the nutrients her mother’s milk would have provided her with, along with various fruits, vegetables, and grasses. Soon, she will have her first of three health checks from our veterinary team, which will allow us to ensure she is healthy. If all goes well, after 90 days Madame will be introduced to the nursery chimpanzee group, where she will be able to live with others of her own kind for the first time since her capture from the wild. Here, she will also learn appropriate chimpanzee behavior and continue to receive specialized care. The rehabilitation process is often difficult, but so far Madame is doing extremely well. And yes, Harmony Fund continues to make donations to support the good work of this incredible sanctuary. Please be sure to LIKE OUR PAGE for daily GOOD NEWS for animals!
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 01:18:06 +0000