A Brave Survivor, and a Bright Future

Zeze has already faced unimaginable hardship in his short life. Originally from Angola, he was rescued in early 2020 through a collaborative effort between the governments of Angola and the Republic of Congo, alongside the Jane Goodall Institute.

At just three years old, Zeze arrived at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre in critical condition, severely malnourished, in poor health, and bearing a deep machete wound that tragically cost him his right eye.

His physical wounds were only part of the struggle. The trauma of captivity and injury left him anxious and fearful, and he initially clung to his favourite caregiver for comfort. But slowly, and with patience and love, Zeze began to heal. He was paired with another young chimp, Perrine, as part of JGI’s Chimp Guardian programme, and the two quickly formed a deep bond - a friendship that helped them both grow in confidence.

Today, despite only having one eye, Zeze is thriving. He’s upbeat, friendly, and great at building relationships - a social soul who’s made fast friends in his sanctuary home. With the support of the dedicated Tchimpounga team, Zeze has truly shown that with compassion, even the most vulnerable can find strength and joy again..