Monkey World (literally: "Monkey World" or "Monkey Circus") seems to be densely populated, given the numerous antics and fakes on virtual channels. DHL has now arranged the real VIP transport of a female chimpanzee from the Congo to a sanctuary of the same name in Dorset, England.
Chocolat, a female chimpanzee orphaned by the illegal bushmeat trade in the Republic of Congo, has been successfully transferred to a new long-term home at the «Ape Rescue Centre» in Monkey World in Dorset.
According to the organizers of the rescue, Chocolat was just an infant when her family was hunted down and killed. Her name likely refers less to her skin color and more to the fact that she was simply too cute to be killed—like the rest of her family. When she was rescued, it was discovered that she had been injured by shotgun pellets. The injuries left her right hand and foot paralyzed.
In the new home
After spending the last twenty years in Kenya, where she was cared for by her original rescuer, Chocolat has now found a long-term home at Monkey World.
The facility specializes in the care of chimpanzees that have been smuggled from the wild, abused, or neglected. To make Chocolat's new home as accessible as possible and to meet her needs, her new enclosure was equipped with lower platforms, as well as new nesting sites and nets.
Photos: DHL
Monkey World was founded in 1987 (two years before the internet was born – so it fully claims the correct name) to provide a home for chimpanzees being exploited as props for tourist photographers on Spanish beaches. Since then, the organization has repeatedly rescued monkeys, apes, and prosimians that have been abused or mistreated by humans. It has also assisted 29 governments in confiscating and rehoming victims of the illegal primate trade.
The 65-hectare sanctuary in Dorset, England, is now home to over 230 primates from 25 different species. Chocolat is one of 52 other chimpanzees living in four groups under conditions as natural as possible, and their individual life stories bear witness to the countless ways in which humans can torment the species closest to them (apart from the genetically and ethically similar pig) in every conceivable way.
Throughout the entire journey, Chocolat was treated like a VIP by DHL Express, transported in a specially made crate, and cared for by a team of specialized animal handlers, aircraft engineers, cargo handlers, security personnel, and pilots. Throughout the trip, Chocolat had the opportunity to enjoy fresh fruit, nuts, and sweet potatoes.
Chocolat's journey, carefully planned to minimize transit times, began on August 15 at Nairobi Airport, included a brief stopover in Bahrain, and ended after a seven-hour flight at East Midlands Airport in the UK, where she arrived on the morning of August 16. From there, she was transported overland to her new home.
At Monkey World, Chocolat will gradually be introduced to six other chimpanzees who will become her adoptive family. Monkey World is home to chimpanzees rescued from 16 different countries. Chocolat's new family was rescued from Mexico, Argentina, Cyprus, and Thailand, and due to their tragic pasts, they also have various disabilities. She has already made friendly contact with Bryan, a dominant male in her group, and touched another chimpanzee for the first time in over 20 years. She is getting used to a diet with a greater variety of vegetables than she has previously eaten. As she relearns how to be a chimpanzee, Chocolat will spend the rest of her days peacefully at Monkey World. Chimpanzees like Chocolat have an average lifespan of 50 years.
Before transport
Other organizations that have supported Chocolat's journey include "African Apes" and the "William Holden Wildlife Foundation," which was founded by actress Stefanie Powers in honor of William Holden.
Stefanie Powers, founder of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, expresses her concern about the unabated illegal trade in primates. "We are only a fraction of a DNA fragment away from our primate brothers and sisters, and it is a privilege to be able to make a small contribution to their conservation and protection."
Alison Cronin MBE, Director of Monkey World, adds: “Living in family groups in as natural an environment as possible is the best form of rehabilitation we can offer chimpanzees like Chocolat. Her integration will be gradual, but thanks to DHL’s support, her journey has gone very smoothly, and she has settled in well so far.”
Cain Moodie, EVP Network Operations at DHL Express in Europe: “The logistics were quite a challenge, but our team of experts, in collaboration with Monkey World and their caretakers in Kenya, did everything possible to make their journey safe and comfortable.”.»
