Rescued Chimpanzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall Season 1 Episode 2 New Arrivals
- July 20, 2021
- 52 min
Rescued Chimpanzees of the Congo with Jane Goodall season 1 episode 2, entitled "New Arrivals," takes viewers inside the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo where orphaned chimps are rescued. In this episode, Jane Goodall welcomes seven new arrivals to the center.
As the episode opens, viewers are transported to the lush forests of the Congo where several chimpanzees can be seen climbing trees and swinging on vines. However, not all of these primates have the freedom to roam as others have been orphaned due to poaching or other human activities. As Jane explains, these orphaned chimpanzees are often sold on the black market as pets or killed for their meat.
Thankfully, the Tchimpounga Rehabilitation Center provides a safe haven for these primates. Upon arriving at the center, the chimpanzees are given a full medical check-up and placed in quarantine to ensure they are in good health and not carrying any diseases that could infect the other residents.
In "New Arrivals," seven new chimpanzees are brought to the center, each with their unique stories. One chimp, named Buka, was rescued from a nearby village where he had been kept in a small cage as a pet for several years. Despite the trauma of being separated from his mother and living in captivity, Buka shows signs of resilience and adaptability as he explores his new surroundings.
Another chimp, named Mash, was brought to the center after his mother was killed by poachers. At just a few months old, Mash was vulnerable and in need of urgent care. As Jane explains, these young chimpanzees require around-the-clock attention and care, as their mothers would usually provide them with everything they need to survive.
Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to the dedicated staff at the center who work tirelessly to ensure the chimps receive the best possible care. From feeding them specialized diets to providing enrichment activities, such as hiding food in boxes and feeding tubes, the staff's goal is to mimic the behaviors and experiences that young chimpanzees would have in the wild.
However, as much as the staff tries to replicate these natural experiences, it can never fully replace them. In one scene, viewers are shown young chimps clinging to one another for comfort, a behavior that they would usually exhibit with their mothers. This scene serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of protecting these primates in the wild and preventing their populations from dwindling further.
As the episode draws to a close, viewers see the progress that the new arrivals have made since being brought to the center. From learning how to climb taller trees to forming new bonds with the other residents, the young chimpanzees are slowly adapting to their new lives at the center.
"New Arrivals" is a heartwarming and insightful episode that sheds light on the important work being done to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned chimpanzees in the Congo. Jane Goodall's passion for these primates is evident throughout the episode, as she shares stories of her own experiences with these animals and stresses the need for continued conservation efforts.