I have some very sad news. Malou died. For those of you who don’t know, Malou was the little female bonobo who was rescued at the Charles de Gaul airport in Paris. We spoke to Crispin, the vet at Lola, and he said they didn’t know what happened. She was very sick yesterday and then she just died. Brian, my husband, was nearly crying on the phone. Malou always used to jump up and do soumersaults from his head. i used to tease him because i said he loved Malou more than me. She was also Claudine’s Christmas miracle, she had to fight to get her from Paris back to Congo. In the end there was a telephone to Jacques Chirac, the French President and Malou was brought home. When she arrived,she was so weak and sick, Claudine thought she would die. She was covered in horrible burns and was severely dehydrated. But she fought and she lived, and became one of the most beautiful bonobos at Lola. If you could have seen her, you would immediately have fallen in love with her impish spirit, the way she bounded towards you with mischief in her eyes, longing to play. She was one of the most wonderful creatures I have ever met. I hope the rest of the bonobos out there make it somehow. I hope we manage to save bonobos. Because somewhere in the Congo basin, I like to think there might be another little Malou out there, with her mother living, her skin unblemished by the burns of a human fire, and smiling her impish grin. Goodbye Malou, We love you.
16 Comments posted on "Malou"
sheryl, washington dc on March 26th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Vanessa, I’m so sorry. I’m so sad, I don’t know what to say. I’m at work and I want to cry. s.
Nancy on March 26th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Dear Vanessa, This is very sad. I’m so sorry. Please take comfort in knowing that all of you at Lola freed Malou from a miserable fate and made the rest of her days happy and full of love.
Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL on March 26th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I’m at a loss for words…my lord, she was still a baby. Vanessa, we know she was loved by all, and we won’t forget what led to her being there. God bless you, Malou.
Julie on March 26th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
I’m so sorry and I’m so grateful for all of the incredible work that Lola does.
jack on March 26th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Claudine, Vanessa et toute l’équipe de Lola. Franck et moi sommes abattus par la triste nouvelle et sachez que nous sommes de tout coeur avec vous dans ces terribles moments. Malou a été sauvée et vous lui avez donné tout ce qu’il y a de meilleur. Gardez cela en mémoire et surtout, continuez le bon travail. Puis, n’oubliez pas: Malou a été un pas en avant dans les saisies européennes de grands singes rapatriés en Afrique. Malou n’est pas partie en vein: elle a tracé le chemin pour d’autres individus de son espèces. Roxane & Franck/J.A.C.K./RDC
Lisa, California on March 26th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
What a beautiful little sweetheart she was. I am so very sad to hear this news. I’m with Nancy, you saved her from an awful life and she was able to live the rest of her life without being mistreated and neglected. That is such a good thing and I’m so happy for that, still it’s hard to say goodbye to such a sweet little thing. May she rest in peace. Lisa
Sherri S. on March 26th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
What a wonderful smile Malou had! I am so sorry for your loss, Vanessa and Brian. But, Brian, I am very glad that you have the memory of her somersaulting from your head! That’s what you need to remember of her. That, and the fact that you — YOU — gave her that opportunity. My thoughts, all of our thoughts, are with you.
James Bionobo Fan on March 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Dear Vanessa and Everyone at Lola, I m so sorry about Malou. I loved to read her about and look at the pictures. I am sure all the other bonobos at Lola ya Bonobo are very sad too. Thank you for saving her and for protecting bonobos. I am sure she was happier at Lola Ya Bonobo then she could have been anywhere else.
sheryl, washington dc on March 26th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
I think I’m most comforted by what Roxane and Franck wrote at the very end of their comment: Malou did not die in vain, she blazed a trail for others of her species. (I think that’s right.) Vanessa, I hope we can save the bonobos, too. s.
F. J. Pechir on March 26th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I really, really sorry about Malou…
Christine C. on March 26th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Oh Vanessa and Brian — I am so sorry…but at least she had happy, happy days for a long time…sometimes we cannot know why things happen, but we can know (and remember) the good that certain things bring. Malou is a precious example of all you and Claudine do every day and her spirit will live on as long as the work you do does.
Lucia Cristiana, Brazil on March 26th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
My heart is broken, but I know that Malou was happy at Lola Ya Bonobo. To share her story is a tribute to her and will help to save many other bonobos and species.Thank you all for your amazing work. Malou, rest in peace.
Bronnie on March 26th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Nessi that’s so sad. I’m sorry.
Pirjo,Finland on March 27th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Very sad news. I do hope you will be able to determine the cause of her death. Please let us know when and if you get any more news.
Annie on March 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Oh my gosh..that is so sad…especially about the burns..what the heck happened? Just awful..I am so sorry for you guys…I am sure it is hard working so close to these babies..just know we realize you guys are doing all you can!!!!
Brigitta, Switzerland on March 28th, 2008 at 6:01 am
Quelle mauvaise nouvelle! Il y a un mois, mon amie, qui travaille avec les Bonobos au Zoo de Frankfurt m’a écrit que tous la groupe a été telement malade que le plus jeune à décédé dix minutes après qu’on a réalisé que les Bonobos ont été malade! Elle aussi , elle a telement pleuré! Pouvre petit Malou!!! En espérant que les autres restent en pleine santée je vous salue toute cordialement, Brigitta Post a comment
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