From Hidden Suffering to Joyful Living

Perrine’s rescue was one of the most complex and heart-wrenching missions ever undertaken by the Jane Goodall Institute team in the Republic of Congo. Just two years old when she was discovered in late 2020, Perrine had been orphaned by poachers and kept hidden by her illegal owner in dire conditions.

When she arrived at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre, Perrine was gravely ill, suffering from anaemia, hypothermia, and partial paralysis that left her unable to move her legs or her left arm. Her chances of survival were slim.

But the care team at Tchimpounga never gave up on her.

Through months of unwavering dedication, gentle treatment, and round-the-clock love, Perrine slowly began to recover. Her strength returned, her appetite improved, and, incredibly, she regained full mobility in all her limbs.

Today, Perrine is a happy, energetic four-year-old who spends her days playing with other young chimps in the sanctuary forest. One of her closest companions is Zeze, another survivor in the Chimp Guardian programme. The two are inseparable - living proof of what’s possible when vulnerable beings are given a second chance at life.