Kauka, who was brought to
Tchimpounga a very sick little
chimp – suffering from fever,
diarrhea, malnourishment, and
dehydration. The sanctuary staff
spent several sleepless days and
nights nursing the young
chimpanzee back to health.
Because he was so dehydrated,
the caregivers decided to name
him “Kauka”, which means “dry” in
the local language, Monokotuba.

Rescued in 2001, Vichika was
taken to our Tchimpounga
sanctuary in the Republic of
Congo. Like most chimpanzees
who are brought to the sanctuary,
Vichika probably witnessesed her
mother being killed. Then she was
taken by poachers who tried to
sell her on the black market. But
Vichika was one of the lucky
orphans – authorities spotted her
and brought her to the safety of
Tchimpounga.

As sometimes happens, Vichika did
not fit in well with the older
chimpanzees in her group. Staff
members decided to place her in
an infant group, where she thrived
as a “mother” to the younger
ones.