When Juwa the chimpanzee was only a baby, his whole world was shattered. His mother was killed by soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Juwa was kidnapped from his home in the forest.
Sadly, this isn't an entirely uncommon occurrence. Chimps are often captured as babies, their parents killed, and then the babies held in captivity for sale to the highest bidder.
Some end up in unethical labs for scientific testing, like the eventually rescued Arden, while others end up in private "zoos."
It's no secret that we need to protect our wild animals, and in Juwa's case, the need was desperate.
His human captors, all members of the Congolese military, kept him locked in a dark room for months while they tried to find a buyer. Eventually, a development worker convinced them to just contact an animal rescue organization.
And it wasn't a moment too soon. When rescue workers from the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre found Juwa, the scene was heartbreaking, and they knew they had a lot of work to do.
Read on to see Juwa's story, and his transformation.
[H/T: The Dodo]
Juwa had spent several months in captivity after being captured by members of the Congolese military.
He was confined to a dark room and tethered in place with a rope around his waist and foot.
In desperation and mental anguish, he'd also pulled the hair off his forearms, leaving bald patches. He was also starving, dehydrated, and filthy.
One of the Rehabilitation Centre's workers, Itsaso, described it all as a "horrible situation."
It was evident what pain Juwa was in, and the rope had cut into his skin and the wounds had become infected.
But thanks to Itsaso and the Rehabilitation Centre, he's finally getting the love and care he needs.
In addition to the obvious, he was also suffering from parasites and infection, but he'll be getting treatment for his physical and mental ailments.
At the Rehabilitation Centre, he's under the care of a surrogate mom chimp, and when he's well enough, he'll get to meet the other orphans that live there.
Itsaso and the team hope he'll be able to make a full recovery and live a happy, safe life. "He will be able to be a chimp again!" Itsaso says.
The Centre also gave him his name. Juwa means "sun" in Swahili, and after so long in the darkness, it looks like he's enjoying his namesake!
SHARE Juwa's story with the world to help raise awareness for chimps everywhere, and learn more about their rescue on the Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Centre's website!
