5050 Eps1 Segment 1 S3.mp4
At the end of 2010, a unique group of passionate conservationists, adventurers and eco-warriors joined forces with the Central African Republic (C.A.R) to embark on one of the most spectacular exploratory missions in history. The Jane Goodall Institute SA in conjunction with Kingsley Holgate and United Against Malaria met up in C.A.R as part of the All Africa Expedition to deliver much needed supplies and bring back 4 rescued chimpanzees to the JGI SA Chimpanzee Eden Sanctuary in Nelspruit.
At the outset the sentiment of Chris Thorpe of "United Against Malaria" resounded: "Never before have we been able to bring such a unique group of organizations and people together... each with the most incredible skills that will ensure the success of this historic expedition. The Central African Republic Expeditionary Force will pave a new path in the way expeditions of this nature will be carried out in the future."
The advance team departed on the 20 November 2010, 10 days before the second team, in a race against time to find the four chimps and bring them safely to a central point in Bangui, where they could perform essential blood tests for Simian AIDS and other diseases. The time pressure was crucial, because chimps can't travel unless they are cleared of important diseases. The whole mission was at stake!
The rescue also involved a massive amount of paperwork - permits and security clearance documentation; the coordination of transport, logistics and personnel; as well as the cooperation between NGOs, sponsors and various African governments, all in less than a week of time.
Will the Central African Republic Expeditionary Force pull it off and get the chimps safely to South Africa? And then what?...