J.A.C.K. (Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga – ‘young animals confiscated in Katanga’) is an independent, self-funded NGO that was established in Lubumbashi (DRC) in 2006. Run by Franck CHANTEREAU and his wife Roxane, J.A.C.K. is a Sanctuary for primates and apes confiscated by law by the DRC Ministry of the Environment.
J.A.C.K. Sanctuary has a triple mission: (1) to stop the illegal trade of apes and primates throughout the counrty by enforcing laws on wildlife, (2) to rehabilitate by giving the confiscated orphans a decent refuge with all the needed love and care before (3) releasing them back in their forest.
J.A.C.K., more than 15 years
It’s now more than 15 years that the Sanctuary was created and, so far, both initial missions of J.A.C.K. have been achieved. J.A.C.K. takes care of more than 140 primates. They are all healthy and do live in decent captive conditions.
Also, no more chimpanzees can be seen on sale on the streets of Lubumbashi, second biggest city of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Which means J.A.C.K. action is effective and people are now scared to detain or sell apes in this part of the country!
Finally, J.A.C.K. is now working more with the interior of the country where, thanks to its partnership with APPACOL-PRN, we are not only raising awareness but also confiscating pirmates with the local environmental authorities, in order to complete the legal process following arrest.