A Story of Hope and Healing

Wounda’s journey is one of the most powerful and moving stories to come out of the Jane Goodall Institute’s work. You may recognise her from the viral video that captured the moment she embraced Dr. Jane Goodall after being released onto the sanctuary island of Tchindzoulou. It was a moment that touched hearts around the world - a simple but profound reminder that love and connection transcend species.

Wounda, whose name means “close to death,” was rescued in 2004 after suffering the horrors of the illegal pet trade. Emaciated and on the brink of death, she had lost nearly half her body weight. But against all odds, she clung to life and made history. Wounda became the first chimpanzee in Africa to receive a chimp-to-chimp blood transfusion, administered by the expert veterinary team at JGI’s Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre.

Thanks to round-the-clock care, Wounda made a remarkable recovery. In 2013, she was healthy enough to be released onto the sanctuary island of Tchindzoulou, and her story didn’t end there. Today, Wounda is the Alpha female of her group and, in 2016, she gave birth to a daughter named Hope.

Wounda’s resilience, strength, and ability to trust again show us what’s possible when compassion meets action. Her life is a powerful symbol of second chances and of the hope we must hold onto as we protect our fellow beings and the natural world we share.