Dodo Heroes Season 1 Episode 6 Estelle's Favorite Chimp

Set deep in the heart of Senegal, the Dodo Heroes crew has arrived at a remote chimpanzee sanctuary that has drawn international attention for its unique approach in caring for orphaned primates. In this episode, we meet Estelle Raballand, a French veterinary student and frequent volunteer at the sanctuary. We follow Estelle as she takes us on a tour of the facility and introduces us to some of the sanctuary's most charming and mischievous residents, including her personal favorite – a young chimp named Musa.

While exploring the sanctuary, we learn about the devastating effects of the bushmeat trade, which has decimated chimpanzee populations across Africa. Many of the sanctuary's residents were orphaned after their families were killed by poachers, or were seized from the illegal wildlife trade. But the sanctuary is much more than just a place of refuge for these primates. It's a place where they can thrive, heal from traumatic experiences, and form social bonds with others of their kind.

Through interviews with sanctuary staff and volunteers, we gain insight into the challenges of caring for such intelligent and complex animals. We learn about the importance of socialization and enrichment activities for chimps in captivity, and about the hard work that goes into maintaining the sanctuary's infrastructure. It's a labor of love for everyone involved, but one that is undoubtedly worth it when you see the joy on the chimps' faces as they play and interact with each other.

But the episode takes a darker turn when we learn that the sanctuary is facing an uncertain future. The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically reduced tourism to the region, which is the sanctuary's primary source of funding. With donations dwindling, staff members are struggling to provide for the chimps' daily needs and worry about their long-term survival. Estelle and the rest of the volunteers are determined to find a way to keep the sanctuary running, but the challenges are daunting.

Overall, this episode of Dodo Heroes highlights the incredible work being done to protect and care for one of our closest animal relatives. It's a reminder that we all have a role to play in the preservation of endangered species and that every effort, no matter how small, can make a difference. Estelle's love for Musa and the other chimps at the sanctuary is contagious, and we're left feeling inspired by her dedication to their well-being.