Kanoa

Est. Birth August 2010

In June 2012, two-year-old Kanoa was confiscated in Cameroon’s West Province during the arrest of a dealer who was attempting to sell him to undercover agents. Ofir Drori’s Last Great Ape Organization provided logistical assistance to the government for the undercover operation and later delivered sad, suffering little Kanoa to Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue’s Founder and Director, Dr. Sheri Speede in the city of Yaoundé. The baby suffered from a badly infected compound fracture of the bones in his lower leg among other wounds, which all probably occurred during the hunt that killed his mother.

During his two months of indoor treatment by skilled medical staff at the sanctuary, Kanoa was terrified of the forest and of loud noises. When his physical wounds finally healed, his emotional salvation came through his introduction to other baby orphans.

In 2015, Kanoa and the other babies were introduced to adult female chimpanzees Manni and Cecile, who both dote on him. Within their enclosure complex that includes 2.5 acres of forest, he relies on them and the other chimpanzees of the social group for the nurturing and support he once received only from caregivers.