Escape to Chimp Eden

Escape to Chimp Eden is a television series broadcast on the Animal Planet network that premiered on February 8, 2008. The series examines the rescue of abused and neglected chimpanzees.

Escape to Chimp Eden
GenreNature, documentary
Created byEugene Cussons
Directed byAnton Truesdale
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes32
Production
Executive producersErik Nelson
Dave Harding
Phil Fairclough
Production locationSouth Africa
Running time30 minutes
Release
Original networkAnimal Planet
Original releaseFebruary 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)
External links
Website

History

Caught up in the turmoil of war-torn countries, chimps frequently become orphans of the bushmeat trade, sold at markets or auctions, according to Animal Planet. Chimps also are caged for entertainment or chained as pets. With only about 150,000 chimps remaining in the wild, the chimpanzee population is being destroyed and the lives of them are being degraded.

Eugene Cussons, South African rescue director for Chimp Eden, a sanctuary at the Jane Goodall Institute in the Mpumalanga region of South Africa is the star of the show. Cussons helps rescue chimps and prepare them for life in the wild, researching the locations of abused and neglected chimps and then either negotiating or forcing them away from their neglectful owners, taking them to the safety of Chimp Eden.[1]

"Call it fate, call it divine intervention, but I felt drawn to the cause of rescuing and rehabilitating chimpanzees," Cussons said. "I was looking to be part of something bigger than myself."

His connection with the chimps is evident when he teaches 11-year-old Cozy to climb a tree for the first time. "Cozy never had been up a tree before, and I could feel he was nervous of falling but also elated by the new experience," said Cussons. "As he put his arm around my shoulders for security, I felt then that, although we belonged to different species, Cozy saw me not just as a friend but a brother he trusted with his life."

Escape to Chimp Eden is produced for Animal Planet by Creative Differences and Triosphere. Phil Fairclough, Dave Harding, and Erik Nelson are executive producers for Creative Differences. Oloff Bergh is an executive producer for Triosphere. Jason Carey is executive producer for Animal Planet.

Chimp Approx. Age Date of Rescue Status Enclosure
Abu 16 Years March 2006 Deceased N/A
Amadeus 13 Years March 2006 Alpha Male Adult
Azzie 1.5 Years July 2008 Infant Female Juvenile 2
Bazia 3 Years July 2008 Infant Female Juvenile 2
Bruce Unknown Died at Sudan Safe House 2007 Deceased N/A
Charlene 2.5 Years July 2008 Infant Female Juvenile 2
Charles Unknown November 2008 Alpha Male Juvenile 2
Charlie 2 Years April 2007 Infant Male Juvenile 1
Claudette 14 Years January 1996,

Moved from Johannesburg Zoo to Chimp Eden in 2008

 3rd Female Adult
Cozy 11 Years April 2006 3rd Male Juvenile 1
Dinka 2 Years April 2007 Infant Male Juvenile 1
Guida 7 Years October 2006 Deceased N/A
Jessica 25 Years December 2008 Adult Female Juvenile 2
Jinga 13 Years November 2006 Alpha Female Adult
Joao 60-65 Years April 2006 2nd Male Juvenile 1
Josephine 18 Years October 2007 Adult Female Adult
Lika 13 Years October 2006 5th Female Adult
Lilly 2 Years July 2008 Infant Female Juvenile 2
Marco 5 Years July 2008 Infant Male Juvenile 2
Martha 14 Years July 2008 Adult Female Juvenile 2
Mary 3.5 Years July 2008 Infant Female Juvenile 2
Mimi 13 Years October 2006 2nd Female Adult
Mowgli 3.5 Years July 2008 Infant Male Juvenile 2
Nikki 11 Years March 2006 2nd Male Adult
Nina 4 Years April 2007 Infant Female Juvenile 1
Sally 3 Years July 2006 Infant Female Juvenile 1
Sampa 5 Years October 2007 Adolescent Female Juvenile 1
Suzie 6 Years July 2008 Adult Female Juvenile 2
Tamu 1.5 Years July 2008 Infant Male Juvenile 2
Thomas 4 Years April 2007 Infant Male Juvenile 1
Tony 3 Years October 2007 Infant Male Juvenile 1
Zeena 4 Years July 2006 Infant Female Juvenile 1
Zacarias 17 Years October 2006 Alpha Male Juvenile 1
Zee 2 Years April 2007 Infant Female Juvenile 1

Between Seasons 1 and 2, Abu and Guida died. Guida died in the episode The Rise and Fall of Guida due to syndrome, suffering complications from congestive heart failure. Abu's death was aired in the previous episode.

See also

References
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