A New Beginning for Chocolat: Rescued Chimp Finds Sanctuary at Monkey World with DHL Express’ Help

A New Beginning for Chocolat: Rescued Chimp Finds Sanctuary at Monkey World with DHL Express’ Help

(IN BRIEF) Chocolat, a disabled chimpanzee rescued from the illegal bushmeat trade, has been successfully relocated from Kenya to Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in the UK, thanks to a collaboration between DHL Express and Monkey World. The chimpanzee, who was cared for in Kenya for 20 years, now has a new home equipped to accommodate her disabilities. The move highlights global efforts in wildlife conservation, with support from organizations like the William Holden Wildlife Foundation. Chocolat will join a new family of chimpanzees at Monkey World, where she is expected to live out her life in peace.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 22-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — In a heartwarming collaboration, DHL Express and Monkey World have successfully relocated Chocolat, a female chimpanzee who survived the illegal bushmeat trade, to her new home at Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, UK. Chocolat, who spent the last two decades in Kenya under the care of her original rescuer, was flown to her new sanctuary where she will live out her life in a specially adapted enclosure designed to accommodate her disabilities.

Chocolat’s journey, meticulously planned to minimize her time in transit, began at Nairobi Airport and included a brief stop in Bahrain before concluding at East Midlands Airport. Throughout the trip, DHL provided VIP treatment, ensuring Chocolat’s comfort with a custom-built crate and a dedicated team of experts. The chimpanzee, who has a paralyzed hand and foot from injuries sustained during her rescue, will be gradually introduced to a new family of chimpanzees at Monkey World, where she is expected to live peacefully among other rescued primates.

This move highlights the ongoing efforts of organizations like Monkey World and DHL Express to rescue and rehabilitate primates affected by illegal trafficking and other forms of abuse. Chocolat’s transfer was also supported by the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, emphasizing the global commitment to wildlife conservation.

Stefanie Powers, founder of the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, praised the collaboration, saying, “Thanks to the outstanding generosity and support from DHL, one very special chimpanzee called Chocolat will have a chance at a fulfilling life.”

Dr. Alison Cronin, Director at Monkey World, expressed her joy at welcoming Chocolat, noting the importance of social companionship for chimpanzees’ wellbeing and the sanctuary’s mission to provide a nurturing environment for these intelligent animals.

DHL’s Cain Moodie added, “It has been an honor to help Chocolat relocate to her new home. The logistics were challenging, but our team took every measure to ensure her journey was safe and comfortable. It’s a pleasure for everyone at DHL to contribute to such meaningful projects.”

Chocolat’s story is a testament to the power of collaboration in animal welfare and the ongoing fight against wildlife trafficking.

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Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre.
Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre is home to over 230 primates and is the largest ape and monkey rescue centre in the world. It was started in 1987 by Jim Cronin to provide a permanent stable home for abused chimpanzees being worked on the beaches of Spain as tourist photographer’s props. Today, his wife, Dr Alison Cronin, continues to work with foreign governments worldwide to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from Africa, Asia and South America. To date, Monkey World has assisted 29 governments around the globe to stop the illegal wildlife trade.

For more information on Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre please visit www.monkeyworld.org

CHIMPANZEES
• Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are native to West, Central and East Africa. They are classified as endangered in the wild according to the IUCN red list with a decreasing population trend.
• In the wild, they live in large multi male and multi female communities of between 30 -100 individuals. There is usually one dominant male, and a hierarchical system beneath him. The groups work in a fission- fusion society, with the main group divided into smaller sub groups.
• Chimpanzees are intelligent, social animals, and are known for their ability to make and use tools, and their expressive communication through distinct vocalisations and facial expressions.
• The main threats to chimpanzees in the wild are habitat loss, hunting of adults for bush meat, and the capture of infants for the pet trade, biomedical trade and the entertainment industry. It is estimated that for every one infant smuggled from the wild, up to ten chimpanzees in the family group are slaughtered.
• Chimpanzees have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years.

Media Contacts:

DHL Group
Media Relations
Sabine Hartmann
Phone: +49 228 182-9944
E-mail: pressestelle@dhl.com
On the internet: group.dhl.com/press
Follow us at: twitter.com/DHLglobal

Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre
Charlie Crowther
Phone: +44 (0)1929 401013 / +44 (0)7779 886864
E-mail: communications@monkeyworld.org

SOURCE: Deutsche Post AG