Orphan Chimp Regaining Health After Poaching Ordeal

The infant chimpanzee who was confiscated from poachers by Rwandan police on November 15th is slowly growing more confident and healthy under the attentive care of Gorilla Doctors Rwanda veterinary team and his three dedicated caregivers at the Kinigi orphan care facility.

The orphan male chimpanzee, currently receiving medical treatment in Kinigi, Rwanda.

The youngster is still fearful at times, and takes to hiding under his blankets and towels when feeling insecure. When caregivers attempt to pick him up, he often times tries to bite, but is slowly allowing them to groom him. He is eating bananas and drinking juice, but Drs. Jan and Noel’s initial exam revealed he is still very emaciated and anemic with high numbers of intestinal parasites in his fecal sample. The new orphan was given a deworming medication on November 17th and a full quarantine exam on Monday, November 24.

Dr. Jan gives the chimp infant some juice.

Still very fearful, the infant prefers to hide under a towel much of the time.

Here is Dr. Jan’s report:

“The infant is emaciated, with muscle wasting on all four limbs and prominent vertebra and hip bones. His hair coat is in poor condition and there are scabs on his back associated with hair matted with feces and urine. His abdomen appears to be bloated and a fecal float revealed high numbers of strongyle and strongyloides eggs and larvae. Bloodwork indicates anemia, hypoprotienemia, and leukocytosis characterized by neutrophilia. The anemia and hypoproteinemia may be related to heavy internal parasite infection and malnutrition while the leukocytosis is consistent with stress, inflammation and/or infection. Because his age is estimated to be at least 3 years based on dentition, he may not require or accept milk or formula, and may take longer to accept his situation with human caregivers. A feeding protocol was implemented based on PASA (Pan African Sanctuary Alliance) recommendations to include sources of protein like Sosoma, porridge/biscuits, and various fruits and vegetables.”

The chimp orphan is slowly regaining his health at the Kinigi orphan care facility.

Drs. Jan and Noel completed the quarantine exam on Monday and obtained an accurate body weight, confirmed his age through dentition, rechecked his blood and fecal samples, administered a TB test and vaccinations.

As this orphan continues to recover, he will be visually assessed every other day by Gorilla Doctors and will continue to receive round-the-clock attention and companionship from his caregivers.

To read about the infant chimp’s confiscation from poachers, click here.