DHL Express Successfully Relocates Chimpanzee Chocolat to Monkey World
DHL Express and Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre have announced the successful relocation of Chocolat, a female chimpanzee and victim of the illegal bushmeat trade in the Republic of Congo, to her new long-term home in Dorset, UK. This relocation was made possible through a coordinated effort involving DHL Express’s VIP transport service and the support of several wildlife organizations.
Chocolat, an infant when her family was hunted and killed, was found with shotgun pellet injuries that left her with a paralyzed hand and foot. After spending twenty years in Kenya under the care of her original rescuer, she has now arrived at Monkey World, which provides specialist care for chimpanzees smuggled from the wild or suffering from abuse and neglect.
To accommodate her needs, Monkey World has upgraded her new enclosure with lower platforms, new nesting areas, and cargo nets. Established in 1987, Monkey World is a 65-acre sanctuary home to over 230 primates from 25 species, including 52 chimpanzees. Chocolat joins this community and is being gradually introduced to six other chimpanzees who will become her new family. She has already made friendly contact with Bryan, the dominant male in her group, and is adapting to a diet with a larger variety of vegetables.
DHL Express provided Chocolat with a custom-built crate and a team of specialists including keepers, aircraft engineers, cargo handlers, security personnel, and pilots. Her journey began at Nairobi Airport on August 15th, included a brief stop in Bahrain, and concluded with a seven-hour flight to East Midlands Airport on August 16th, followed by a road transport to Monkey World. Throughout the trip, Chocolat was treated to fresh fruit, nuts, and sweet potato.
Supporting organizations included African Apes and the William Holden Wildlife Foundation, founded by Stefanie Powers. Powers expressed gratitude for DHL’s role, highlighting the importance of efforts to combat illegal primate trafficking.
Stefanie Powers, founder of William Holden Wildlife Foundation, said “In my avocation as a wildlife conservationist, I am concerned about the illegal trafficking of primates which continues unabated. It is only through the extraordinary efforts of individuals such as Alison Cronin and her Monkey World team that our fellow primates may be rescued and rehabilitated. We are only a fraction of DNA removed from all our primate brothers and sisters and it is a privilege to play a small part in helping to preserve and protect them. Thanks to the outstanding generosity and support from DHL one very special chimpanzee called Chocolat will have a chance at a fulfilling life. As a friend of Chocolat I am grateful to DHL and Monkey World.”
Dr Alison Cronin MBE, Director at Monkey World, said “We’re so happy to welcome Chocolat. The reason we exist is to offer a nurturing environment for chimpanzees and other primates and to give them back a fraction of what has been taken from them by humans, providing them with a family again. Companionship of their own kind is vital to chimpanzees’ wellbeing, as they are social, intelligent animals. Living in family groups in as natural an environment as possible is the best kind of rehabilitation we can provide to chimpanzees like Chocolat. Her integration will be gradual, but her journey has been very smooth, thanks to the support of DHL and so far, she is settling in well.”
Cain Moodie, EVP Network Operations for DHL Express in Europe, said, “It has been an honour to help Chocolat, the chimp, relocate to her new home at Monkey World. The logistics of transporting her were quite challenging, but our team of experts, in collaboration with Monkey World and her carers in Kenya, took every possible measure to ensure her journey was safe and comfortable. It’s a real pleasure for everyone at DHL when we can use our skills and network to contribute to projects such as this.”
