Chimps don't make good pets!

A few weeks ago we headed off into the wilds of Sierra Leone to visit the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary. We left the ship bright and early to beat the Freetown traffic (ha, ha) and managed to arrive an hour and a half  before our guided tour. We had time to photogrpah some of the local wildlife-see below. They breed 'em big here!

They opened the gift shop (yes-seems that trend is world wide) and coffee shop early for us. We were a little bit excited to have our first coffee out since we were in South Africa. It was instant with powdered milk but beggars can't be choosers! We also sampled some local sweet treats (see above)-benny cake (like seasame snaps) and groundnut cake (similar to peanut brittle). Then it was time for the obligatory toilet pit stop as you never know when you will find another toilet and one must take the chance when one can! However I managed to trap myself in the toilet-not the first time. I got stuck in the one at the dental clinic a few months ago and I had to climb on the seat to call for help. I still haven't lived that one down!

This is our guide who had a wonderful knowledge of chimpanzees and could talk the fur right off one!

The baby chimp nursery-freaky or cute? You decide!!



 The main compound. There is always a dominant male and the chimps will fight and injure each other. Chimps can be albino but this is extemely rare. There have been escapes from the sanctuary. Once a very large groups of around 26 chimps escaped. Most of them made their way back, some were later captured and two are still at large. During the escape two people were killed and several injured!



Hangin' out.

Eating lunch.

Everything you ever wanted to know about speaking chimpanzee!

Well of course we are going to throw poo............

More lunch.

Just up this rickety, very steep ladder made of twigs was a viewing platform up a big tree out into the open jungle. We saw a few branches moving but no sign of the elusive chimps.

Andrew a little closer to heaven!