Four months have passed and Tacugama has been closed to the public, losing an average of $1,000 a month in gate revenues. This represents urgently needed funds to care for their 80+ chimpanzees, so we are asking our website readers to consider sending funds – small or large – to help our friends in Sierra Leone. For details of this incident, click here.

Click here to donate.

On April 23, 2006 when 31 chimpanzees escaped from the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary which we visited in October 2005, most people were hoping they would be returned safely with patience and time. Here it is, August 2006 and all but 5 of the chimpanzees have returned to the sanctuary without further incident or harm to human or ape.

Bruno, the alpha male of the troop, is still at large, and although sightings near the sanctuary are frequent, so far efforts to lure him and the others back haven’t been successful. If you remember Bruno and the others lived thru the brutal civil war in Sierra Leone, it’s a little easier to understand how terrified they are of uniforms and guns, so the military patrols protecting Tacugama are perhaps also keeping the chimps at bay, so Bala and his staff continue their daily patrols of the neighboring area, calling to and monitoring the chimps at large, hoping they can convince them to return. Like most adult male chimpanzees, Bruno is a bruiser of power, intelligence and gentleness. I was lucky enough to be one of Bruno’s friends, since not everyone is granted this esteemed privilege. But after my recent trip to visit gorillas in Europe, I am convinced more than ever that apes recognize kindred spirits, and Bruno not only knew how much I loved him, but how much I respected him too. Ok, so the cheese calzone I gave him as a treat helped, but even days later, with no food to offer, he’d come over to greet me, and even groomed me thru the bars of his night den.

Donations of $5 to $5,000 can make a huge difference and if you send donations for Tacugama to IPPL or Gorilla Haven, marked “For Bala” or “For Tacugama”, 100% will be sent to help Tacugama continue their important mission.

For more information about Tacugama, visit their website.

Thank you in advance.