Yaounde, Cameroon – On the morning of May 24, Dr. Sheri Speede, president of IDA-Africa's Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Sanctuary in Cameroon, led a coordinated operation to remove two chimpanzees, eight monkeys and a number of parrots from an amusement park close to the capital city of Yaounde.

With the support of Cameroon's Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the provisional delegate, forestry officials and the local gendarme as well as staff from both Limbe and Yaounde zoos Dr. Speede overcame opposition from the owner of the amusement park. Within an hour and forty-five minutes they had all of the primates and birds sedated and comfortable, loaded onto seven vehicles and heading out to their new homes.

"This is a great day for Dorothy and Nama, and all of the rescued primates and birds. It is especially gratifying to know that the IDA-Africa Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Sanctuary is making a difference in the lives of some very special great apes," said Dr. Speede. "We cannot imagine the depths of sorrow and despair reached over so many years of unfathomable deprivation by these and many other captive chimpanzees. Their physical and psychological suffering was unimaginable, but very, very real."

The two adult female chimpanzees, Dorothy and Nama, had endured neglect and indifference for many years, pinned to the ground by short heavy neck chains, unable to reach out or be comforted, never being allowed to leave their miserable sun parched and monsoon swept spots of bare earth. Dorothy had been on her chain for 25 years and Nama on hers for 16 years.

Over the past nine months, Dr. Speede had visited with them, directing medical treatment, providing food and nutrition, running blood tests and determining their quarantine status. Given a clean bill of health, the decision was made, in conjunction with the Ministry who have remained very supportive of the mission to get the chimpanzees out as quickly as possible.

In the short time since their arrival at the IDA Sanctuary, Dorothy and Nama have already begun to adjust to their new home within a five-acre solar-powered
forest enclosure. They are now enjoying grass beneath their feet, the companionship of each other and non-stop friendship of the other chimpanzees, Pepe, Jacky and Becky, and their human caregivers.

"Slowly, one step at a time, the sanctuary is increasing the awareness of the need to protect Cameroon's remaining wild chimpanzees before they disappear forever," said Dr. Speede. "Thanks to the support of the government and a growing network of compassionate animal advocates and contributors, we will continue to speak out for those whose cries are ignored."