By. Mahesh
Anthony Caere felt he would always find a career that combines two of his biggest passions: flying aircraft and protecting wildlife. He realized that he should be working with the Democratic Republic of Congo in the forests and there she was required to transport orphaned young chimps to safety with Virunga National Park rangers. This was the first national park in Africa to be established in 1925. It is located in the eastern section of Congo’s Democratic Republic. Established to preserve mountain gorillas, many animals are now home. It is estimated that there are 706 bird species, 218 mammal species, 109 reptile species, and 22 primate species that have found sanctuary at this park.
For the past seven years, the pilot has evacuated animals from the park. He also assisted in setting up a flight school for training courses and delivery of medical evacuations. One of his greatest honors, though, is the safety of orphaned newborn chimpanzees.
Sadly, finding orphaned chimpanzees in the jungle is not unusual. Hunters look for endangered animals for their flesh and leave their offspring terrified and alone in the bush. The endangered animals If the guards cannot reach them on time, they often perish or are sold to private, illegal zoos as domestic animals.
Anthony brought his first newborn chimp to the animal sanctuary of Lwiro Primates in 2016, and the orphanage was a chimpanzee sanctuary. He soon realized that while flying, the infant Chimpanzee was much calmer and less worried on his lap.
Anthony remarked, “I never take them to the airport immediately, as I always keep from putting them in a cage. “I’m trying to take them on my lap since it’s quite stressful riding on an airplane to a newborn chimp.”
Once onboard, the infant Chimpanzees are interested in the lights, switches, and gadgets, but they eventually relax. They wind up sleeping throughout the flight most of the time! Tongo, a baby abducted by traffickers and rescued by rangers, was a recent passenger to Anthony.
On the day of his flight, thanks to all the love shown, Tongo felt right at home in his rescuer’s arms. Anthony stated, “It’s just like a normal human kid. “They would like to be closer, would like to feel you, and when they are calm.”
After landing safely at Lwiro Primates, Itsaso Vélez del Burgo, the rescue officer, received them on the tarmac for the care of little Tongo. Now he will join roughly 100 other rescued chimpanzees, all big enough to get into the wilderness.
“He was extremely pleased, and he already met two other two buddies after two days, so he was glad to be there,” added Anthony. “They are a new family, and their future looks far better because they have the great opportunity to return to the wilderness.”
This is actually a very sad story because they take the little chimps away from their families. While the hunters kill the rest of their families. Caring people around the world struggle to conserve endangered animals such as Tongo every day. Our thanks should go to people like Anthony for their devotion, kindness, and hard work they do to protect these animals.
Below is the video of Tongo the baby Chimp snuggling with Anthony. This will make your day for sure!
Image/Video Credit & More Info; The Dodo/Youtube | Anthony Caere | virunga.org | lwiroprimates.org
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