Esake is a young bonobo who has rediscovered her smile!
Esake was seen late last month riding a bicycle back toward a market in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Esake should have instead been attached to her mother at such a young age.
Thank goodness someone saw tiny Esake riding this bike and realized things weren’t right.
When they contacted the local police, they learned that a hunter was transporting a cargo of bushmeat on a bicycle. One of the hunter’s victims, killed with a poisoned arrow, had been Esake’s mother.
Hunters frequently sell the young of murdered apes into the black market for pets. But, Esake would have a different outcome!
Esake was soon introduced to Héritier Mpo, a community partner of the Bonobo Conservation Initiative (BCI), and his presence made her smile.
Esake has experienced a difficult few weeks, according to BCI. “Esake underwent Héritier’s care and began to regain some strength despite being traumatized and feeble. She quickly adjusted to eating fruit and drinking from a bottle.”
Esake’s experience with Héritier came to an end when she was given to individuals who then transported her to the Kinshasa sanctuary.
She will develop in this place, safe and surrounded by strong people!
