Hi Everyone,
Maïka arrived on Saturday 21st of February… the same day as the ‘Kivu Four’.
Remember, I told you Franck and I had just arrived from the airport that day that a lady called us saying she had just seen a chimp for sale on the streets of Lubumbashi…
I can’t tell you how bad Franck and I felt. No new infant ape had been seen for sale in Lubumbashi for the past months and…suddenly, we got that call insisting on the size and the young age of the baby chimpanzee.
The Lubumbashi inspectors of Environment checked the information and managed to seize the female who arrived at the Refuge around 5 p.m. Exhausted, sick and traumatised, we decided to bring her home.
Maïka was very bad. She hardly moved, had high fever, refused any food… Also, the little one had several cuts on her hands and feet and there was an open wound on the palm of her right hand.
The vet came on Monday and made her 3 injections (deworming stuff, antibiotics and vitamins). All went extremely well afterwards and on Tuesday, Maïka did her first steps at home. Because she was so weak, Franck and I were very surprised to see her walking around the place.
Maïka has already been introduced to the ‘Kivu Four’. They played for hours, climbed up trees, ran in the grass… all of them enjoyed these particular moments.
Lunch time: Faustin, the ‘Kivu Four’ and baby Maïka holding a tomato in her left hand
The little female is now safe and we’re sure that if she had stayed with the traders or with other people, Maïka wouldn’t have survived.
I chose to call her « Maïka » as to keep in mind that baby « Maïko » had to be here too…
Roxane
Good job Franck & Roxane.. may the spirit of Maiko live on.
Thanks for all that you are doing down there. It is enormously challenging and yet you guys just take it in your stride.
cette petite maika est un petit amour de bébé chimpanzé, bien sur qu’elle serait mieux avec sa maman, mais elle a eu la chance de trouver dans son malheur la route de JACK, et cela c’est une grande chance. elle va etre bien maternée, elle ne manquera de rien. Il faudra encore beaucoup de lait pour ces 4 derniers arrivants qui sont bien jeunes.
Nous allons nous mobiliser avec Carole pour vous aider de notre mieux, toute la nouvelle équipe va relever les manches.
Nous pensons bien fort à toute l’équipe au loin et nous les remercions de se dévouer aux chimpanzés orphelins.
Roxanne, Maika is so precious. The picture of her sitting on the floor touches my heart. So tiny but she looks to be a fighter. You and Franck are extraordinary people.
Ping :Baraza » Saving Chimpanzees
Wonderful post and such a sweet Maika. Hi Theresa – great to read your comments – hope you are well. Roxane Let me know if you would like us to promote your work and the Kivu 4 through a press release?
I’m glad Maika was confiscated by the authorities quickly. Poor little girl looked so sick when Franck was holding her. It infuriates me how these babies are treated. I would like nothing more than to lock these people up for the rest of their lives! I am so grateful she is at JACK. I’m sure Faustin and the babies will help her recover from her trauma. She is so precious! Thank God for you and Franck, Roxane.
So sad, Roxane, to think what happened to Maika’s mother and her family. So wrong. That said, I’m glad you and Franck were there to rescue her and introduce her to Faustin’s other charges. I hope all is going well.
s.
Oh Roxane, she is so sweet…sounds like you and Franck got to her just in time…and I just love the picture with Faustin and all four…I hope poor little Pasa gets some hair soon…though then it will be harder for me to pick him out of the crowd!