Kenyan wildlife sanctuary to host endangered chimpanzee from Iran
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E-mail Xinhua, July 15, 2021
NAIROBI, July 15 (Xinhua) -- An endangered chimpanzee relocated from a Zoo in Iran has safely arrived at a wildlife sanctuary located in the north-western Kenyan county of Laikipia where it is expected to realize physical and mental healing.
The four-year-old chimpanzee named Baran, or rain in Persian will be hosted at the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary based at the Ol Pejeta wildlife sanctuary where it will mingle with other rescued counterparts and regain health.
"I am very happy to see Baran in a better place with others of her kind and it is good that she will learn how to survive in nature," Jafar Barmaki, Iranian Ambassador to Kenya said in a statement released in Nairobi on Wednesday evening.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) partnered with Ol Pejeta conservancy and animal welfare lobbies to carry out the month-long relocation exercise for the endangered chimpanzee that was previously hosted at Iran's Eram zoo.
According to Ol Pejeta conservancy, the relocation was informed by a growing concern over loneliness that the chimpanzee experienced at the Eram zoo where there were no peers to interact with for balanced development.
The female chimpanzee was born prematurely at the main wildlife center in the Iranian capital of Tehran, lost her mother and was later moved into a cage for protection since she was unable to bond with peers.
Baran will be placed in quarantine for 90 days as stipulated by the KWS and will benefit from 24-hour veterinary support and monitoring in order to adjust her to the new life in Kenya.
"She will become an ambassador for her species and help raise awareness on the plight of wild chimpanzees in Africa," said Olpejeta conservancy.
The private wildlife sanctuary has played host to infant chimpanzees rescued from traffickers to ensure they start a new life in a natural habitat.
According to Ol Pejeta conservancy, the illegal trade in great apes for pets and meat, threatens the survival of chimpanzees, orangutans and gorillas roaming Africa's tropical forests.
Stephen Ngulu, head of Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary said Baran's relocation to Kenya will help raise visibility on threats facing African primates including poaching, shrinking habitat and climatic stresses. Enditem
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