Every now and again, a press release flutters in that warms your heart. This week, DHL Express wins that accolade with its report on flying a disabled chimp called Chocolat, from Kenya to her new, forever home at the UK’s Monkey World – Ape Rescue Center in Dorset. An infant victim of the illegal bushmeat trade in the Republic of Congo, Chocolat became an orphan when hunters killed her family. She suffered shotgun wounds, leaving her with a paralyzed right hand and foot. For the past 20 years, she lived with her original rescuer in Kenya, but was recently transferred to Monkey World – a 1987-established, 65-acre sanctuary that provides specialist care for more than 230 primates of 25 different species, who have been smuggled from the wild and/or suffered abuse or neglect. “To accommodate her needs, her new enclosure has been treated to upgrades such as lower platforms, new nesting areas, and cargo nets, all designed to make Chocolat’s new home as accessible as possible,” the release details.
Chocolat’s journey required thorough planning to ensure minimum transit times. She left Nairobi Airport on 15AUG24, touched down briefly in Bahrain, and then continued on a 7-hour flight to East Midlands Airport, arriving on the morning of 16AUG24, then carrying on by road feeder to Monkey World to meet her new family of 6 other chimpanzees. “Throughout the journey, DHL Express provided Chocolat with VIP service, transporting her in a custom-built crate supported by a team of specialist keepers, aircraft engineers, cargo handlers, security personnel, and pilots.” Catering too, was top class: “Chocolat snacked on fresh fruit, nuts and sweet potato.”
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 honor 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.”
