For several years, J.A.C.K. has had he wonderful support of the BRIGITTE BARDOT FOUNDATION and its trust has made valuable developments to improve the life of J.A.C.K.’s captive residents.
This year, the French Foundation has accepted to launch a new development project which aims to enforce the security of open air playgrounds. The hairy residents of J.A.C.K. are now indeed turning into big and powerful adults; security is an important factor also especially because the sanctuary is located in the city of Lubumbashi!
The main group of chimpanzees has an open air facility surrounded by 3 meter-high walls and 3 lines of electrical wires . To the founders of J.A.C.K., this is not enough and therefore, unlike other ape sanctuaries, they opted to fix metallic shields on top of the walls to prevent any chimp escape!
The works started weeks ago and security shields have been set on part of the play ground. It is J.A.C.K.’s welder, George, who is carrying out all the works and we are extremely grateful for his patience, his professionalism and meticulous work!
This is how George proceeded:
* First, George cut metallic sheets
* Once welded together, the sheets were bent thanks to a machine George built himself!
* Then, Georges welded the metallic supports to keep the sheets bent
And finally the shields were fixed on strong poles and a metallic structure on top of the walls of the playground
So far, the works are not finished and we will keep you updated on the progress of the this wonderful project!
Many thanks again to Mrs Elodie, to Mrs Virginie and to all the great team of the Brigitte Bardot Foundation for their trust and wish to help! The residents of J.A.C.K. are lucky to be in their hearts!!!
Before ending, we also would like to thank a colleague, Mrs Itsaso Véles del Burgo from CPRL ,who gave us some precious advice on the construction of the metallic shields.
