Chocolat Saved by Monkey World
- Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset welcomes Chocolat, a disabled chimp saved from the bushmeat trade.
- Chocolat's rescue highlights the ongoing issue of wildlife trafficking and the importance of rescue centers in saving endangered animals.
- The heartwarming rescue story brings hope for Chocolat's future and raises awareness about the plight of animals in the bushmeat trade.
A disabled chimpanzee named Chocolat, who was orphaned due to the illegal bushmeat trade in Africa, has found a new sanctuary at the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Wareham, Dorset. Chocolat, who has spent the last 20 years in care in Kenya, was rescued as an infant after her family was hunted in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She arrived at her new home on August 16 and is currently being introduced to six other chimpanzees, who are expected to become her adopted family. Chocolat bears the physical scars of her traumatic past, having sustained injuries from shotgun pellets that have left her with a paralysed hand and foot on her right side. The Monkey World centre is dedicated to providing a safe haven for chimpanzees rescued from various countries, including Mexico, Argentina, Cyprus, and Thailand. Many of these chimps also have disabilities stemming from their previous experiences. Experts at Monkey World emphasize the importance of social interaction for chimpanzees, noting that companionship among their own kind is crucial for their wellbeing. The centre aims to create a natural environment that fosters rehabilitation, allowing chimps like Chocolat to thrive in family groups. Chocolat's journey marks a significant step in her recovery, as she has begun to reach out and connect with her fellow chimpanzees for the first time in over two decades. Established in 1987, Monkey World has been a refuge for chimpanzees previously exploited in the Spanish beach photography trade, highlighting its commitment to animal welfare.