It’s been a month now that baby ELIEZER joined our team that has been lockdown at our home. ELIEZER indeed is 1 month old today. He gained some weight and, just like his mother, he is doing very well.
Unlike all the members of the team of J.A.C.K. , Eliezer’s parents were confined at our house on April 1st. Gracia, his mother, was pregnant and all her medical expenses (regular check ups, delivery & hospialization) were covered thanks to the wonderful generosity of two great friends, Rebecca & Bob.
Gracia has been very lucky to give birth in a “lockdown mode”: the clinic stuck to our lockdown rules (personal room & bathroom, no visits except the doctors’ and mine) and we knew Mama and baby were in good hands!
Delivery was long and painful. During her stay, Gracia was spoilt by the nurses who I thank again from the deepest of my heart as they did a very good job!!!
Today, we are all happy that Eliezer is healthy and growing well. He has a big brother, Elvie (6 years old) and a sister, Emmanuella (3).
Many thanks again to Rebecca and Bob for their amazing suport during these very partcular times. Also, thanks again to the Clinic, its kind Managers & team for all that they have done for Gracia & her baby.
In March 2020, the Covid-19 Pandemic stroke worldwide and the local Congolese economy as well as the whole sanitary system was badly hit too . The first Covid case was confirmed in Kinshasa (the capital) on the 10th of March and all the different DRC provinces were immediately put on the alert. Although the presence of the virus was not yet confirmed at that time around J.A.C.K. in Lubumbashi (South DR Congo), the sanctuary Founders, Franck and Roxane CHANTEREAU, could already feel its economic repercussions and had to face a sudden increase in prices, food shortage, growing inscurity, etc.
Last January, when the Covid-19 virus was extending all over China and because there were still flights between Beijing and Lubumbashi, Franck and Roxane already decided to strengthen the health control at the sanctuary. Since nothing is known about damage caused by this virus on great apes, both Founders were too scared the corona virus would enter the complex and contaminate the chimpanzees! It was therefore obvious more sanitary measures had to be taken to prevent zoonoses!
The team of J.A.C.K. has been working with masks, gloves and footbaths since 2008. In early 2020, temperature of staff was taken twice a day and if a member of the team showed any signs of flu, he/she was isolated and kept in observation for 21 days.
Also, because it was not confirmed the disease was already in town (Lubumbashi had been set on a two-day lockdown, cirizens were said to be positive and later on negative…), Franck set his mind on buying bicycles for the personnel so that it no longer had to depend on public transport.
This is how J.A.C.K applied for Emergency Funds from the PAN AFRICAN SANCTUARY ALLIANCE (PASA) to purchase bikes and to store enough food as it was clear tough times were to come: borders had been closed, unscrupulous merchants put exagerated prices on their goods, the DRC local currency (Congolese Franc) devaluated, insecurity was getting worse and the population did not respect barrier gestures.
So, in March, thanks to the great support of PASA’s Donors, J.A.C.K. managed to protect its team and its hairy residents from the virus and from dreath. In town, many people made fun of J.A.C.K.’s Founders due to the so many sanitary measures they were taking. Only a few of them understood they both had a huge responsability to keep the sanctuary safe from harm… What would happen if the virus entered the Centre?
Among these few people was Mr MUIR, Provincial Director of ICCN. He is the Wildlife Authority of the Province. He is the Congolese Wildlife partner of J.A.C.K. and he is also in charge of all the fauna and the flora of the area.
Mr MUIR was extremely worried that the virus would already be in the city and enter the sanctuary despite all the health control measures. To him and to J.A.C.K. Founders lockdown was unavoidable! Therefore, a PREVENTIVE LOCKDOWNwas decreed from April 1st till April the 30th.
Again, thanks to the generosity of PASA’s Donors, J.A.C.K. bought all the needed equipment to make the team feel “at home” at the sanctuary (matrasses, mosquito nets, buckets, kitchen ustensils, a TV set, toiletry items, etc.).
During this isolation period, Franck and Roxane cannot be 100% isolated as their mission is to provide the team (18 people) and the sanctuary residents (34 chimpanzees) with all the food and medication that they need.
Unfortunately, at that time, the one and only car of J.A.C.K. broke down and the Emergency Grant of PASA also enabled to buy a second hand gearbox. The vehicle is essential to the sanctuary: if there is no car, no food can be bought nor collected from local sponsors and no supplies can be driven to the sanctuary…
Today, lockdown at J.A.C.K. is now TOTAL since May 1st until further notice. Lubumbashi is counting hundreds of confirmed positive Covid-19 cases and the disease is all around the sanctuary! The people that were laughing at the Founders’ sanitary measures now consider taking the same measures to protect themselves and realise Franck and Roxane were right and did well! We all hope and pray this nightmare will soon come to an end so that “normal” life can come back at the sanctuary.
Many, many thanks to PASA nd its Donors for the wonderful support which has helped J.A.C.K. for the last 11 weeks. We all live awful times because of the virus and it is clear that, without Love and solidarity, we can’t make it! We must all work together hand in hand to face one common enemy: the Covid-19 virus!
ARMED RANGERS AT J.A.C.K are important as fighting the trade of endangered species doesn’t always bring you friends! Many thanks to the DRC wildlife authority (ICCN) for giving us Rangers and many thanks to IPPL to help us provide the best to the two Rangers!
Our sanctuary has indeed been through two arsons ((2006 & 2013) and it was important to enforce security on site to keep our residents as well as our team safe from harm! We are extremely pleasd to have two armed Rangers from the local national parks (ICCN) since their patrols comfort us and dissuade anyone whishing to enter the sanctuary!
Strong winds destroyed one of the wlls surrounding our complex and it was a relief to have the Rangers providing security.
Thanks to IPPL’s grant we are able to feed the two rangers and to pay them an extra salary.
Many thanks to IPPL, its team,its donors and especially to Dr Shirley Mc Greal as without her Love and trust, J.A.C.K. wouldn’t have been able to gve these orphaned chimpanzees the best!
Remember, Bapu is the young female chimpanzee that broke her tibia last September. She underwent surgery twice and had to be isolated in a small cage to prevent her from standing on her leg.
Bapu did well: her bone healed up well and the chimp was very very patient!
Then, when the doctors decided she could go back into her group, Bapu had to be introdced again to her friends. All of them were so happy to see her. If you look at the footage below, it is the first time Bapu goes outside in nearly 7 months and her friends vocalise a lot when she coes to greet them in front of the other night rooms!
Bapu’s case has been a tricky case: it was the first time J.A.C.K. had to deal with a fractured bone! Therefore, the sanctuary and its team has been extremely grateful to BOOZAA for its valuable support!
Yes, last year, the BOOZAA team organised a musical event in Brussels and donated the benefits of it to the Congolese sanctuary. Such great help that totally covered the two surgeries Bapu went through, as well as the different X-rays that had to be done in addition to the blood tests made to follow Bapu closely during the last 6 months . Without BOOZAA and its precious team, J.A.C.K. wouldn’t have been able to provide young Bapu with the veterinary assistance she needed urgently!!!
Many thanks again to Patricia D, to Gaëtane and all the members of BOOZAA for their wonderful support!
The construction of our veterinary clinic is progressing very well!
Today, the power system, the ceiling, the windows are fixed and so is half of the plumbing. Most of the tiles have been set. Outside the clinic the walls have been plastered and a huge concrete topping was built. We still need to paint the walls & the night rooms and to place the lights.
We have already talked about the kind 2018 contributions of different partners ( Columbus Zoo, du Zoo de La Palmyre and Pro Wildife ) and this time we are happy to announce the wonderful support of two other sponsors who have helped us previously : the French Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AFVPZ) and 1620 Capital.
When starting the first steps of last year’s vet clinic project, we introduced the ASSOCIATION FRANÇAISE DES VÉTÉRINAIRES DES PARCS ZOOLOGIQUES (AFVPZ) which is an association of zoo veterinarians from many French speaking countries. They all work together for a same goal: the welfare of animals living in zoos.
In a recent post, we also mentioned an Australian company, 1620 Capital, which has sponsored actions in Perth to raise awareness about J.A.C.K. and its rescued orphans. In addition to this, earlier this year, 1620 Capital offered medication to our chimpanzees.
Many, many thanks to the team of the AFVPZ , to Mr Jason Brewer and to 1620 Capital for their wish to be part of this huge building project. It is a privilege to work with all of you! Your valuable support is really appreciated and is helping J.A.C.K. more than you can imagine!
The building of a Veterinary Clinic is a huge project for J.A.C.K. and, today, we are proud to announce you the precious contribution of the ZOO DE LA PALMYRE, a French zoo that has been supporting our sanctuary since 2009! J.A.C.K. is extremely grateful to the Zoo, its team and donors for their participation which enables the project to take huge steps forward!
Every day, new buildling material is acquired and J.A.C.K.’s team of artisans does its utmost to reach its goal: the building of an exceptional Vet Clinic! So far,
– the ceiling has been fixed;
– drains were built for waste water and for storm water;
– all the plumbing works have been done;
– the first tiles were set ;
– a concrete sqeed was built at the entrance of the clinic;
– and the external walls of the building are being roughcasted.
More works still have to be done (painting, windows, lights). We remain confident and convinced the Veterinary Clinic of J.A.C.K. will be nice and -of course! – extremely practical!!
The Congolese Sanctuary, its team and residents wish to thank again Mrs Florence and the Zoo of La Palmyre for their interest, for their trust and for their will to provide these orphaned creatures with the best care!
Many, many thanks for making this dream of a vet clinic at J.A.C.K. come true!
Last year, thanks to the amazing support of its partners and sponsors, J.A.C.K. launched the so awaited building of its small veterinary clinic.
This year, more has to be done to finish the works : the complete electrical system must be fixed, water pipes must be added, walls painted, windows, tiles and ceiling installed. Also, the sanctuary would love to purchase the basic equipment for its laboratory, but it all depends on the donations collected/received.
Today, we can say that some works of Phase 2 have started and that our team of artisans (bricklayer, painter, electrician, plumber & welder) is now back on the building site !
A few days ago, we talked about the contribution of the Columbus Zoo in this project. This time, J.A.C.K. is very happy to announce that the German wildlife organisation, PRO WILDLIFE, has again accepted to support our DCR sanctuary!
Last year, and thanks to Pro Wildlife’s precious help, (1) young chimpanzee male Doguy had an eye surgery and (2) funds to cover food supplies were donated too. Our German Friends and their supporters have been of great help – many, many, many thanks again to all for their interest in our action!
As mentioned above, Phase 2 has been launched recently : trenches were dug to put electrical cables, the whole electricity system is being fixed and walls were coated. No works are on the agenda and we will keep you updated!!!
J.A.C.K. is extremely excited to see the works starting again and is more than impatient to see the final result!
Dear Christine, Sandra and all the team members and donors of Pro Wildlife, thank YOU all so much for your trust and for your wish to provide our rescued furry friends with the best living conditions!
Without YOU, J.A.C.K. wouldn’t be able to give THEM all what THEY need!
Last year, thanks to wonderful sponsors, J.A.C.K. managed to launch the first steps of a very important project at the sanctuary: the buildling of a small vet clinic!
By end 2017, a nice construction had been completed leaving all the finishing works for 2018: plumbery, painting, electricity, tiles, etc.
Today, we are extremely pleased to announce a new sponsor has showed interest in taking part in this great development since the Columbus Zoo indeed accepted to contribute to Step 2 of the veterinary clinic of J.A.C.K.! Our team is very excited to see the final works start; especially J.A.C.K. vet team who has already inaugurated the theater for different veterinary issues.
J.A.C.K. is thanking Jennifer and all the team of the Columbus Zoo for its trust and interest! Our sanctuary can’t do everything on its own and needs sponsors and partners to offer its furry residents the best care!
Again, many, many thanks for your precious 2018 support which will help us start Step 2 of our Veterinary Clinic!
