Just like in humans, the flu is most dangerous for little babies. Semendwa’s baby was too young to make it, he got sick too quick, but Claudine and the vet Marie Laure did manage to save Chi Chi’s baby, Moyi, who is hanging on to Mama Henriette below. it is always a tough choice to take a baby, you have to anesthetise the mother first which is traumatic and can be dangerous. But Moyi ended up being a happy story, he came from his mom for two nights and slept with Suzy, keeping her up all night long. Then after two days, Claudine brought him back to the enclosure, he squealed when he saw his mom, ran and gave her a big hug … then he ran BACK to Claudine, waiting to go back to the fun place where he got all those yummy treats!!
But Chi Chi held him close. She was so happy to see him, she was hugging and kissing him, I cried (for everyone who’s wondering, I actually do not cry every day willy nilly).
And something special; when Moyi was away, we went to Chi Chi’s enclosure to try and find some sugar cane for him to eat. I saw Chi Chi, she was sitting huddled over, looking really sad. When she saw me, she came over to the fence, looking hard at me as though I might be hiding her baby in my pocket.
I said, “Chi Chi, I just need some sugar cane for Moyi, can you see any?”
Then she handed me a big juicy chunk right through the fence. I know, as a scientist, you can’t make any conclusions, especially since if Chi Chi speaks anything, she speaks French, not English, but I took the sugar cane back to Moyi and said his mom sent it to him with hugs and kisses, just in case he could understand.
We still need another $20,000 for bonobo food – please help if you can: www.friendsofbonobos.org/support.htm or lolayabonobo.wildlifedirect.org.
Donations made here are
Mar 17th Maciej G USD 15.00
5 Comments
Hi Sheryl! NIce to see you here, I didn’t know you were collaborating with Lola Ya Bonobo.
Moyi is a beautiful baby, I am glad he made it.
Did you know that moyi in Swahili means smoke (even though I think it is written moshi).
Anyway, good luck with getting the funds for the bonobo food.
Hi Virginia!
Oops, I forgot to change the author of the post before I published it. Vanessa writes the posts and sends the photos, all I do is post them to the blog. The Internet connection in Congo, as you well know! is often unavailable so I’m just helping out a little.
Thanks for the good wishes and thanks for the translation of Moyi’s name. I wonder why “smoke” was chosen for him? I think it’s a pretty cool name for a little guy – sorta sexy.
I love the story about Chi Chi giving Vanessa the sugar cane for Moyi. Maybe Chi Chi doesn’t speak much English, but maybe she wanted Vanessa to take the treat to her baby and that’s why she offered it? I’m glad, too, that Moyi pulled through and made his mama so happy on his return.
s.
Glad to hear there is more positive news for these babies..and that this lil cutie made it..what a terrific story to read…I hope things continue to improve!
Glad to hear the flu has passed. Smokey is a good name, it worked for Smokey Robinson, Smokey the bear and Smokey and the bandit. I’m sure Moyi will grow up to be quite a charmer and a charcter.
Thank you for the heartwarming story after such tragedy. I would have cried too watching Chi Chi and Moyi reunite. What a precious little bonobo he is! Thank God he made it and is back with his loving mother.