A short 15km outside Nelspruit, visitors to Mpumalanga have the opportunity to meet one of the world’s most endangered animals. Although not native to South Africa, these primates, displaced from their natural habitat and rescued elsewhere on the continent, have been offered a safe haven at JGI Chimpanzee Eden.
The sanctuary, set in the 1000 hectare Umhloti Nature Reserve and established in 2006, is the only one of its kind in the country. Chimp Eden committed itself to the rescue and care of chimpanzees in need of refuge and serves as an educational and eco-tourism facility. Before Jane Goodall’s pioneering studies revealed tool use in chimpanzees, humans believed the making and use of implements was what set us apart for other species. We now know chimpanzees share about 99% of our DNA, making them our closest living relative.
Wild chimpanzees are under constant threat of extinction due to hunting, and habitat loss and degradation due to agricultural and forestry expansion. When poachers hunt chimpanzees for the bushmeat trade, they often take out two generations at once. Usually they kill the mother, and then sell her infant as an exotic pet in an illegal market.
Authorities rescue some from circuses, beach resorts and night clubs. Outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as Ebola and anthrax, have also lead to a decline in chimp numbers. Rescuing these animals is a risky, dangerous business. In addition, rehabilitation can be slow and difficult. But Chimp Eden offer these animals a permanent, stable home away from abuse and misfortune.
The chimpanzees at Chimp Eden are the lucky ones, living out their lives in a risk-free environment and being provided with the necessary attention to recover from the trauma they have experienced. They spend their days in semi-wild enclosures, and show normal social interaction and behavioural patterns as group members.
Watch out for Cozy, who likes to intimidate visitors by throwing rocks at them (luckily his aim is bad)! It is suspected that he sustained brain damage as the result of abuse while Jessica has the unfortunate habit of pulling out her hair.
Baby Amari and his touching relationship with mom Bazia and probable dad Mowgli, on the other hand, will steal your heart. Watching the different individuals interacting with each other is fascinating and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
There are currently three different chimp groups and enclosures. There are viewpoints overlooking the forest and foraging areas from which visitors and volunteers can observe and study the chimpanzees.
Guided tours take place three times a day (weather permitting), twice around feeding time and lasts for about 1,5 hours. Light meals and refreshments are available from the restaurant before or after the tour.
The Institute is a non-profit organisation and all funds received go directly back into JGI Chimp Eden to further its aims of conservation and protection of chimpanzees, or to assist in funding the Roots and Shoots outreach programmes. For more information – Visit Chimp Eden‘s Website