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Wild-born baby Chimpanzee living free in River Gambia NP Truly wild great apes are very difficult to observe. Note that of all the Jungle Dragon images of chimpanzees, only one is even from Africa and shows a ranger feeding some. This shot is from an island in River Gambia NP where several families of chimpanzees now live in the wild after reintroduction and rehabilitation of experimental and confiscated animals starting over 40 years ago. Now the colony is self-sustaining and lives without human contact (done for the safety of the chimps and the humans). You can visit the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center nearby which provides boat tours to observe the now wild chimps when they come down to the water's edge. Because they keep the number of guests low, it is an amazing chance to experience this amazing human relative in its natural setting - and there is incredible bird, reptile, and other mammal fauna watching as well. The government is attempting to expend and commercialize it - which would be a real pity as it would destroy the intimate nature. Add this to your wildlife bucket list - it is certainly one of the top things that we have ever experienced. Common chimpanzee,Pan troglodytes,River Gambia NP,The Gambia Click/tap to enlarge PromotedCountry intro

Wild-born baby Chimpanzee living free in River Gambia NP

Truly wild great apes are very difficult to observe. Note that of all the Jungle Dragon images of chimpanzees, only one is even from Africa and shows a ranger feeding some. This shot is from an island in River Gambia NP where several families of chimpanzees now live in the wild after reintroduction and rehabilitation of experimental and confiscated animals starting over 40 years ago. Now the colony is self-sustaining and lives without human contact (done for the safety of the chimps and the humans). You can visit the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center nearby which provides boat tours to observe the now wild chimps when they come down to the water's edge. Because they keep the number of guests low, it is an amazing chance to experience this amazing human relative in its natural setting - and there is incredible bird, reptile, and other mammal fauna watching as well. The government is attempting to expend and commercialize it - which would be a real pity as it would destroy the intimate nature. Add this to your wildlife bucket list - it is certainly one of the top things that we have ever experienced.

    comments (4)

  1. View Patomarazul's profile
    Patomarazul
    Lion
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    "The government is attempting to expend and commercialize it "...this does not sound good..what do they want to do there??..I hope at least is some sort of nature tourism and not in big quantities..I was going to say I am happy that they are in an island but with this is perspective..I hope they will be left undisturbed..And yes, Gambia sounds nice! was it difficult to get there? Posted 5 years ago, modified 5 years ago
    1. View Barry's profile
      Barry
      Lion
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      It isn't good. Unfortunately, like governments everywhere, they only think short-term and are reputedly putting pressure on the director of the center to expand the facilities to increase revenue. Hopefully this can be resisted, as the small size is critical to the intimate nature of the experience - and the idea of putting a safari park there would be laughable, if it weren't possible. As to getting there - Gambia is really easy as there are several direct flights from Northern European cities, the flight is only 6.5 hours and it is basically the same time zone (so no jet lag). Go visit - you won't regret it! Posted 5 years ago
  3. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
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    Intruiging story, Barry, I'm going to remember this one. Posted 5 years ago
    1. View Barry's profile
      Barry
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      It is even more intriguing and amazing than it appears at first. Google Janis Carter and the Chimpanzee Lucy, raised as a human. Posted 5 years ago

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The Common chimpanzee

The common chimpanzee, also known as the robust chimpanzee, is a species of great ape. Evidence from fossils and DNA sequencing show both species of chimpanzees are the sister group to the modern human lineage.

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Similar species: Primates
Species identified by Barry
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By Barry

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Uploaded Dec 13, 2019. Captured Nov 29, 2019 18:40 in Niani, The Gambia.
country flag of Gambia Explore Gambia 67 61 0
  • Canon PowerShot SX30 IS
  • f/5.8
  • 1/202s
  • ISO400
  • 150.5mm
Captured in the fall. More fall photos.