Saving Baby Chimps (Full Episode) | DOCUMENTARY SPECIAL | Nat Geo Animals

0:01 (music) (shrieking) NARRATOR: Meet your extended family.

0:11 Chimpanzees are one of our closest living relatives.

0:15 They share most of our genes and many of our emotions.

0:20 Love, friendship, and trust are essential for all chimps.

0:27 When these emotions are taken away, how do you give them back?

0:33 Sierra Leone's chimpanzees are struggling.

0:36 In a country ravaged by habitat loss,

0:39 civil war and Ebola, chimps are not a priority.

0:44 JANE GOODALL: Chimpanzees throughout West Africa,

0:46 which includes Sierra Leone, are endangered.

0:49 Their numbers are dropping and continuing to drop.

0:53 NARRATOR: Out of sight, out of mind.

0:56 The chimps of Sierra Leone could disappear for good.

1:01 Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary is on a mission to change that.

1:07 Here in this safe haven,

1:09 forgotten chimps of Africa are getting a second chance at life.

1:14 If you're a chimp, the goal is clear:

1:17 find your place in a troop and find a way to survive.

1:29 Hugging the Atlantic Ocean, Sierra Leone lies on the western edge of Africa.

1:36 Its tropical forest is home to a rich diversity of creatures...

1:45 ...including chimpanzees.

1:47 GOODALL: When people think of Sierra Leone, they think of civil war,

1:51 they think of ruthless killings, they think of Ebola.

1:54 And yes, there are chimpanzees there, and they're an endangered species,

1:59 but they're not really newsworthy,

2:01 so of course people don't think about Sierra Leone and chimpanzees.

2:06 NARRATOR: Many are illegally exploited, sold overseas and kept as pets.

2:15 Some are even hunted for meat.

2:19 At Tacugama, the only chimp sanctuary in Sierra Leone,

2:23 saving chimps is a way of life.

2:26 (chattering) Found only in Africa,

2:30 chimpanzees are highly intelligent social animals.

2:34 When they stand upright they can be 4 to 5.5 feet tall.

2:41 With both arms spread, a chimp's arm length is one and a half times its height.

2:48 Just like humans, some go bald with age.

2:53 They're mostly vegetarian, but chimps will occasionally eat meat.

2:58 Surprisingly, they're more closely related to us than to gorillas.

3:03 They share more than 96 percent of our DNA.

3:07 It's easy to relate to them; and that can be a good thing.

3:18 (music) (music) This is Jackie.

3:31 She's fragile and must be handled with care.

3:36 The first signs are worrying.

3:39 (thermometer beeping) IZZY: Feels very warm.

3:43 It's very dehydrated as well.

3:45 NARRATOR: Jackie is traumatized and confused.

3:48 (shrieking) MAN: No biting.

3:53 No, no, no, no.

3:54 Sit down here, sit down here.

3:56 It's okay.

3:56 It's alright, it's alright.

3:59 (screams) NARRATOR: She's not well.

4:05 A baby chimp this far gone is in real danger of slipping away.

4:10 BALA AMARASEKARAN: We went straight to the place, we opened the security post,

4:14 went through, and they are hiding him in a toilet by the security post area.

4:18 We found him sitting in the sink,

4:20 in the wash hand basin, he was sitting there helplessly.

4:22 Opened the door, and he was reaching out to me, and so I just picked him up.

4:27 NARRATOR: It is illegal to kill, capture or trade chimpanzees in Sierra Leone.

4:33 Bala Amarasekaran used to be an accountant.

4:36 In 1988 he bought a baby chimp he felt sorry for.

4:42 Then he saved another one.

4:44 As the babies grew, so did Bala's realization

4:48 that more had to be done to help them.

4:51 Inspired by Jane Goodall,

4:54 he established Tacugama in 1995 to rescue and conserve chimpanzees,

5:00 a move that changed his life forever.

5:04 AMARASEKARAN: Dr.

5:05 Jane Goodall, she visits Sierra Leone, and she comes to see me,

5:08 and it was very inspiring spending a week with Jane,

5:15 understanding what she's trying to do.

5:17 When Jane left, I think she has planted the seed,

5:20 and that is how the rest of the life kind of unraveled in front of me.

5:27 GOODALL: It's a big responsibility for me.

5:29 Because feeling responsible for somebody's growing passion to look after

5:36 the chimpanzees means that when he's going through tough times,

5:39 I'm feeling for him.

5:40 And once you start, I'm afraid it's, it's like a...

5:44 you know, it just goes on and on.

5:47 More and more chimpanzees are brought to your attention.

5:50 You need staff, you need veterinary care.

5:52 It's, it's actually a nightmare,

5:54 but of course from the point of view of the chimpanzees, it's wonderful.

6:04 NARRATOR: This is Posseh Kamara, or Mama Posseh.

6:07 She works with Bala and has a special connection with baby chimps.

6:13 Cleaning seems to reassure the youngster.

6:19 AMARASEKARAN: She was definitely caught and tied on a rope.

6:23 You can see a rope mark, but thankfully it didn't go through too much.

6:26 Yeah, it's okay.

6:30 (grunting) NARRATOR: Unusual for a baby chimp, Jackie won't drink any milk.

6:36 The reason is alarming.

6:39 AMARASEKARAN: Well, I asked them whether they gave any milk or anything,

6:41 no, never, so she hasn't had any milk at all.

6:44 NARRATOR: Baby chimps rely on their mothers' milk

6:46 for the first four to six years of their lives.

6:50 At just under two years old,

6:52 and completely deprived of milk, Jackie's life hangs in the balance.

7:00 For now, all Mama Posseh can do is make her comfortable.

7:05 The weakest don't usually make it.

7:09 Jackie won't survive unless Posseh can get her to start drinking milk.

7:17 (crickets chirping) Mama Posseh is up early.

7:31 Her mind might be on last nights' events, but she has breakfast to prepare.

7:35 (shriek) (whooping) Tacugama is home to about 80 chimps of all ages...

7:44 and counting.

7:47 They all come from similar beginnings,

7:49 but individuals progress through different stages of recovery at their own pace.

7:55 The goal is to get every chimp functional again,

7:57 living in a troop, and eventually in a place like this.

8:02 A 125-acre semi-wild enclosure.

8:06 To a once-chained chimp, this is paradise.

8:10 It all starts with nutritious milk.

8:13 Because humans and chimps are so closely related,

8:16 human baby formula is a good substitute.

8:19 MAMA POSSEH: Come and take something.

8:21 Take.

8:21 NARRATOR: The youngest need milk up to five times a day.

8:23 MAMA POSSEH: This is your breakfast.

8:26 NARRATOR: Mama Posseh has helped raise most of the chimps here.

8:29 To them, she is mom.

8:31 MAMA POSSEH: Take your milk.

8:35 I'm going.

8:36 This is not for you.

8:38 You have taken yours.

8:41 NARRATOR: Tucked away in a corner, two babies are just waking up.

8:48 MAMA POSSEH: Sofie!

8:50 Sofie, come and take!

8:52 NARRATOR: Meet Sofie.

8:53 She's close to a year old and lives with her slightly older roommate, Matilda.

9:01 Just like newbie Jackie,

9:02 they are confiscated orphans just beginning their rehabilitation.

9:07 Babies normally spend the first year in constant contact with their mother.

9:12 That's where Mama Posseh comes in.

9:16 GOODALL: Having a foster mother to cuddle you,

9:19 to teach you, to be there for you is tremendously important.

9:24 Because that's what of course a wild chimpanzee mother would do.

9:27 MAMA POSSEH: Uh, uh, uh.

9:30 Oh, oh.

9:31 Yes, yes, yes.

9:32 NARRATOR: Mama Posseh will teach them how to be chimps.

9:35 MAMA POSSEH: I'm going.

9:37 NARRATOR: Breakfast over, it's time for school.

9:41 In the wild, baby chimps are carried or ride

9:43 on their mom for the first two years.

9:47 MAMA POSSEH: Let's go.

9:48 NARRATOR: They're heading to the forest, not to play, but to learn.

9:54 You need skills to live in a place like this.

9:59 And for a chimp, that means climbing.

10:05 It is essential they strengthen muscles,

10:08 test their weight on branches, and hone their coordination.

10:13 A thin branch is perfect.

10:20 So far, so good.

10:24 Confidence is a good thing, but too much too soon inevitably leads to a fall.

10:31 (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) MAMA POSSEH: Ah ah ah ah.

11:05 NARRATOR: The youngsters tend to play alone, which is not a good thing.

11:11 Matilda prefers Mama Posseh's company.

11:15 Sofie is at least persistent with her climbing.

11:20 They're scheduled to join another group of chimps

11:22 for the next phase of their rehabilitation.

11:26 But if they want to survive, they need to form a bond with each other first.

11:36 (music) NARRATOR: This is Somebody,

11:42 an unusual name for a chimp, but Somebody is special.

11:50 She only has one hand.

11:52 The other was lost to a hunter's snare when she was young.

11:56 Now almost 10, she is a shining example

11:59 of how chimps can bounce back from tragedy.

12:03 Somebody is part of a group of rehabilitated

12:06 chimps that has learned a clever trick.

12:13 Start with a stick, fashioned to your liking.

12:17 Next, find a comfortable place to sit.

12:21 Then get to work.

12:23 (music) It was once thought that humans were

12:31 the only species that could make and use tools.

12:33 But in 1960 Jane Goodall discovered that chimpanzees use sticks to fish

12:39 for termites— a truly groundbreaking revelation

12:42 that changed the world's perception of chimps forever.

12:47 There are no termites here, but there is honey,

12:50 placed by the caregivers to stimulate the chimps.

12:56 This encourages the same behavior that occurs in the wild.

12:59 It's a test of brain over brawn that can often boil over.

13:03 (shrieking) Some don't ever learn the technique,

13:09 and spend the time harassing each other instead.

13:13 (shrieking) Attentive onlookers watch in envy.

13:22 We can't all be the 'A' student.

13:25 Despite her disability, Somebody is the star.

13:29 (music) Mama Posseh is on her way to check on little Jackie,

13:44 who arrived last night in a bad state.

13:49 MAMA POSSEH: Uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh!

13:53 Where is your Pampers?

13:55 Why do you remove the Pampers, huh?

13:57 Why do you remove the Pampers?

14:00 Eh, eh, eh, eh!

14:01 Let me see your belly.

14:03 What is in this belly?

14:06 Huh?

14:06 NARRATOR: Against all odds, Jackie made it through the night.

14:10 But the orphan has not taken a drop of milk, and her health is declining.

14:15 She could be Mama Posseh's biggest chimp challenge yet.

14:22 First things first: a bath.

14:26 A warm cloth gets to places even chimp moms can't reach.

14:33 From eyes to ears and face to feet, it's a head-to-toe service.

14:43 Tender gestures like this show Jackie that she can trust Posseh.

14:49 Her skinny limbs are weak and need strengthening.

14:52 A warmup helps get the blood flowing.

14:58 Mama is a skilled masseuse.

15:01 Simple stretches encourage circulation and prevent further muscle wasting.

15:07 Jackie's condition is so delicate that even the slightest cold could be fatal.

15:14 Human chest rub medication warms tiny toes.

15:19 Anything to keep the chill away.

15:23 Applying some to Jackie's chest seems to go over well.

15:29 Now that she's in better spirits, maybe Jackie will take some milk.

15:36 She's still not interested.

15:41 What you don't know, you don't miss, and Jackie is unsure of this strange drink.

15:47 She will not survive if she doesn't try it soon.

15:51 (music) Something is better than nothing at this stage,

15:59 and fruit might coax her out of her shell.

16:03 Albeit with a little encouragement.

16:05 MAMA POSSEH (singing): I know that you want to eat melon Look at the melon,

16:09 look at the melon The melon is for you,

16:12 ooh, my dear The melon is for you GOODALL: Singing lullabies,

16:17 telling stories, being calm and gentle and always the same.

16:22 I think these are the things

16:25 that calm infant chimpanzees and restoring its self-confidence.

16:30 MAMA POSSEH (singing): The melon is for you Oh,

16:32 Jackie, Jackie, the melon is for you NARRATOR: It works!

16:41 Jackie chows down.

16:43 Melon with lunchtime entertainment is not too bad.

16:50 If only these pesky seeds weren't in the way.

16:55 MAMA POSSEH (singing): Melon is for you This melon is for you NARRATOR:

17:00 But Jackie needs to start drinking milk soon or she won't survive.

17:10 NARRATOR: Today vet Izzy is getting ready for his first appointment.

17:19 Like all new arrivals, Jackie needs a full examination.

17:23 Disease could spread through the sanctuary like wildfire,

17:26 so it is essential that Izzy knows everything about her.

17:34 Putting any animal under anesthetic is dangerous, and doubly so for a baby.

17:39 (shrieking) IZZY: It's okay.

17:42 NARRATOR: Something Mama Posseh knows all too well.

17:47 Jackie takes a while to go under.

17:50 She's drowsy but still holding on.

17:54 Izzy tries various means of persuasion.

17:58 (music) At last, she sleeps.

18:08 Jackie arrived with a high temperature that needed to go down.

18:13 It's good news.

18:14 IZZY: 37.3, which is normal.

18:18 NARRATOR: Chimps are susceptible to many human illnesses,

18:20 and TB is a particular concern with all new arrivals.

18:25 Easily passed from humans to chimps, ex-pets have the highest risk.

18:30 A small injection in the eyelid is all it takes.

18:34 They'll know in a few days if Jackie is all clear.

18:38 Nothing is left unchecked, including poop.

18:43 If Jackie has parasites, they will show up.

18:47 Izzy spins a sample in a centrifuge to get a clear picture under the microscope.

18:54 (beeping) Blood samples are vital to paint

18:57 a complete picture of Jackie's overall health.

19:01 (beeping) It will take a few days for all the test results to come back.

19:10 (music) IZZY: Just in the nick of time.

19:16 Okay, Mama Posseh, all went well.

19:20 Jackie looks great, and we got everything done in the nick

19:23 of time before she woke up on her own.

19:25 (chuckles) MAMA POSSEH: Thank you very much.

19:27 IZZY: You want to go back to Mama?

19:28 Of course you do, of course you do.

19:31 (chuckles) (grunting) NARRATOR: Jackie will stay in quarantine for the next

19:41 three months until she gets the all-clear.

19:43 Only then can she be introduced to other chimps.

19:47 Monthly visits to Izzy aside,

19:50 Mama Posseh is the only human contact she will have.

19:54 Jackie is attached to her surrogate mom.

19:59 Their precious time together forges a bond of trust.

20:05 It's been a traumatic time for both of them.

20:10 But now they sleep.

20:19 (chimps chattering) Little Jackie can dare to dream of a place like this.

20:25 The end goal for all rescued chimps who come here.

20:29 Large areas of forest at Tacugama are sectioned off to allow

20:34 fully rehabilitated groups of chimps to live in a natural habitat.

20:40 Here in this vast semi-wild enclosure is Tito's group.

20:46 They are elusive, emerging briefly to drink

20:50 before slipping back into the forest.

20:55 Dragonflies shimmy in the sun.

20:58 The males search for the best perches to watch for breeding opportunities.

21:04 Chasing each other and courting females,

21:06 the dragonflies put on a graceful performance that has one spectator captivated.

21:12 (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) (music)

21:58 (music) (music) On the other side of Tacugama,

22:13 another creature takes center stage.

22:16 Termites.

22:18 Winged adults called alates emerge

22:20 in the thousands to begin new colonies elsewhere.

22:25 Eruptions like this are too good to miss.

22:29 (music) Mannikin finches flock to feed on the calorie-rich feast.

22:38 (music) Lizards join in.

22:43 From above, black kites circle to snatch what they can.

22:50 As quickly as it begins, it's over, and calm returns to the forest.

23:04 Sofie and Matilda are at the vet's.

23:09 IZZY: Okay, come, we sit over here.

23:11 NARRATOR: Although out of quarantine, routine check-ups ensure good health.

23:16 Small ailments come and go.

23:20 IZZY: Is she scratching at all?

23:21 MAMA POSSEH: No, she's scratching.

23:24 IZZY: Okay.

23:25 The most common thing would be something like ringworm or another skin fungus.

23:29 What we'll try and do, let's get her on an antifungal cream.

23:32 MAMA POSSEH: Okay.

23:34 IZZY: And we'll do that in the morning and in the evening.

23:36 Just a thin amount that you can spread on the, on the affected areas.

23:41 Ahh, Matilda the runaway.

23:43 NARRATOR: Matilda's issue is a little more complicated.

23:46 She occasionally wheezes.

23:48 IZZY: It's definitely coming from between the nose and the chest.

23:52 Ohh.

23:55 Maybe we can try some decongestants to loosen

23:59 any mucus that might be in the respiratory tract.

24:03 The noise, it's not very serious.

24:05 As long as it doesn't get worse, we're okay.

24:08 Basically we just monitor her for any colds,

24:11 any difficulty breathing, especially going into the rainy season.

24:14 You know, we usually get some colds.

24:16 MAMA POSSEH: Yeah.

24:17 NARRATOR: With nothing to worry about, Mama Posseh faces a new challenge.

24:21 It's time for Sofie and Matilda to go back to forest school.

24:31 NARRATOR: Mama Posseh wants to teach

24:32 the young chimps wild behavior with a twist;

24:34 termite fishing with honey, a stick and a bottle.

24:38 First, a taste to get them interested.

24:45 Now it's game on.

24:48 But this time they have to work for it.

24:52 MAMA POSSEH: Come here.

24:53 Matilda.

24:53 Matilda, come.

24:54 NARRATOR: It's all about holding their attention,

24:56 and Matilda is focused on the task.

24:59 (music) Sofie, on the other hand, heads for the trees,

25:09 where she's improved by leaps and bounds.

25:12 (music) (music) Matilda's not a master yet, but the signs are good.

25:29 Sofie needs to at least try.

25:33 She follows Matilda's lead and is back in the game.

25:41 Sofie may need a bit more coaxing,

25:44 while Matilda needs to work on her table manners.

25:51 (distant shrieking) A welcomed vehicle arrives.

25:58 Food, and lots of it.

26:01 In a single week Tacugama's chimps munch their way

26:05 through a variety of snacks including nearly 4,000 bananas,

26:11 500 pineapples, more than 2,000 mangos,

26:14 three bags of potatoes, and too many nuts to count.

26:19 Delivery day is a time of plenty.

26:23 (music) (music) (music) MAMA POSSEH: Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh.

26:41 NARRATOR: Chimpanzee babies learn what foods to eat from their mothers.

26:45 Mama Posseh is showing Sofie and Matilda which leaves are good to snack on.

26:51 MAMA POSSEH: It's nice.

26:52 Eat it.

26:53 NARRATOR: Someday they will need to make these dietary decisions on their own,

26:57 once fully rehabilitated and living in a semi-wild enclosure.

27:03 Some leaves are toxic while others serve medicinal purposes.

27:08 Chimps have been known to self-medicate with certain plants.

27:13 But not today.

27:14 This is just lunch, wild style.

27:19 Up here Sofie is in her element.

27:23 She's getting better at climbing every day.

27:26 Matilda still prefers to stick to Posseh.

27:32 All chimps have different personalities and needs.

27:36 GOODALL: The most important thing is being there for that infant.

27:39 So, you see them, they go off, they get a little bit hurt, they fall.

27:43 What do they do?

27:44 They run to their foster mum,

27:47 and the good foster mum will cradle that chimp and soothe it and provide

27:52 it with the physical but also

27:54 the, the psychological support that's so very important.

28:00 NARRATOR: The babies are fascinated by Mama Posseh's belt.

28:07 The common interest seems to inspire Matilda to make a move.

28:15 She leaves Posseh and hugs Sofie for the first time.

28:22 This is a sure sign they are bonded.

28:26 With each other's support, they can now be introduced to a new troop of chimps.

28:32 (music) Chimps can learn how to use various tools and then pass on those skills.

28:46 One-handed Somebody's group is particularly advanced.

28:51 They termite fish for fun, and, confronted with hard palm nuts,

28:56 find rocks and stones to use as hammer and anvil.

29:02 It doesn't take long for them to find their rhythm.

29:06 (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) (insects

29:58 chirping) Tonight Mama Posseh is in the milk room.

30:03 Jackie is still refusing to take a drink.

30:06 The situation is serious, but Posseh can only do so much.

30:11 Tender support is vital for Jackie's state of mind.

30:15 MAMA POSSEH: For why you no take your milk?

30:21 NARRATOR: Her eyes are open, but she's fading away.

30:25 MAMA POSSEH: For why you no take your milk?

30:29 For why?

30:31 NARRATOR: She has eaten fruit, but milk is what her delicate body really needs.

30:36 As hard as Posseh tries, the desperate baby refuses.

30:41 MAMA POSSEH: Chuh, chuh, chuh, chuh!

30:45 What, no want?

30:46 NARRATOR: They have no choice but to try again tomorrow.

30:50 Time is running out for little Jackie.

30:53 (shrieking) NARRATOR: In the early morning sun, Joko Jr.

31:10 sticks close to his mom, Gerry, the leader of a ladies-only club.

31:17 Joko's dad died before he was born.

31:22 Less than a year old, Joko is the only male in this troop.

31:28 All female chimps are put on contraception to prevent breeding,

31:32 but sometimes it doesn't work.

31:34 Luckily, Gerry has turned out to be a terrific mom.

31:40 Grooming is essential to chimp life.

31:43 It removes dirt and parasites, calms nervous chimps, and enhances bonding.

31:50 With milk on tap and a taxi service at his beck and call,

31:54 Joko Jr.'s life seems perfect.

31:56 But it's not.

31:59 When food is out, it's every chimp for him or herself,

32:03 and he's having a hard time getting his fair share.

32:11 What he does grab is quickly stolen.

32:18 This isn't working.

32:20 He needs a hiding place for his bounty, and he knows the perfect spot.

32:25 (music) It's a secret den--the perfect place to stash toys and snacks.

32:36 (music) (music) (music) As long as they can't see him, his treasure is safe.

32:55 It's wise to keep a lookout.

32:56 (music) (chimps shrieking) (music) (music) (music) (music)

33:25 (shrieking) Each time he returns to his den, he makes sure he isn't followed.

33:33 (shrieking) But hanging around the entrance is a bad idea.

33:41 Too late.

33:43 Busted.

33:48 Chimps are great with their hands.

33:50 They have opposable thumbs that allow them to grip

33:53 like we do and also use them to knuckle walk.

33:57 With both hands full and Joko Jr.

34:00 to carry, Gerry could use an extra set of hands.

34:03 There's only one thing to do: get up and walk.

34:06 (music) (music) (music) (insects chirping) Now

34:30 that Sofie and Matilda have each other's backs,

34:33 it's time to integrate them into a small group.

34:36 They're going to meet three other chimps for the first time.

34:40 The three are older and bolder, so Posseh brings colleague Manso to help.

34:45 A meet and greet is a delicate situation.

34:48 It could be too much for Sofie and Matilda.

34:51 They might panic or get bullied.

34:54 But they have to try.

34:56 MAMA POSSEH: Yay.

35:00 NARRATOR: The older trio head straight for the trees.

35:04 All three girls climb very well.

35:08 Their confidence knows no limits, and they dine at the top table.

35:18 Sampling the forest menu, they are comfortable living the high life.

35:28 Sofie and Matilda stick to Mama Posseh, but they're not panicking.

35:34 Once they are noticed, the boisterous bunch begins to flex their muscles.

35:38 MAMA POSSEH: No, leave them, leave them!

35:40 Leave them.

35:40 No, stop that!

35:41 Woo!

35:41 NARRATOR: Chimp society is governed by a hierarchy system,

35:45 so little power struggles now may impact the social structure later on.

35:50 One of the older chimps is quick to put Sofie in her place.

35:55 A forearm grab brings another one down.

35:58 Tempers start to flair.

36:01 (laughing) Far from being intimidated, Sofie and Matilda up their game.

36:06 Sofie gives it her all.

36:13 Mama Posseh takes glancing blows at the center of the mayhem.

36:20 Five become four as Matilda heads to the trees for a breather.

36:26 Normally a reluctant climber, the rumble in the jungle triggers her instincts.

36:32 The excitement is a bit too much for one youngster, who makes a sneaky exit.

36:39 Sometimes you need to know your limits.

36:48 The rough and tumble pays off.

36:51 Sofie and Matilda play with the boisterous bunch away from Mama Posseh.

36:56 It's a remarkable transformation.

36:58 These five chimps may form a troop one day.

37:03 Sofie and Matilda still need a mother's touch,

37:06 but this is a new chapter in their young lives.

37:11 For now, things should be looking up.

37:15 (insects chirping) In quarantine,

37:21 Jackie's refusal to drink milk is taking a toll,

37:26 and the team is running out of ideas.

37:29 It's down to one last-ditch effort to keep her alive.

37:38 (shrieking) NARRATOR:

37:40 Jackie's sweet tooth might be the key to getting her to drink vital milk.

37:49 Honey is perfect for disguising the taste.

37:56 (music) The honey trick is working.

38:04 (music) (music) It's a life-changing step forward for a chimp baby near death.

38:20 But Jackie's not out of the woods yet.

38:23 She needs to put on weight,

38:25 and is still waiting for the make-or-break results of her health check.

38:35 In the semi-wild enclosure, another little someone is attracting attention.

38:45 A new baby.

38:47 Sonia.

38:50 Tito's troop of fully rehabilitated individuals is

38:53 living as natural a life as they can.

38:57 Babies galvanize chimp society, changing the dynamics overnight.

39:03 The mother-daughter bond is cemented for life.

39:07 Support, protection and education for Sonia all rest on Suzie's broad shoulders.

39:15 More than one male may think Sonia is theirs,

39:18 a shrewd move on mom's part to ensure they are both protected.

39:31 In quarantine, Jackie had a medical exam

39:34 to check for contagious illnesses, including TB,

39:37 that could have a devastating effect on the rest of the chimps here.

39:41 The results are in.

39:43 IZZY: So Jackie's doing great.

39:45 TB test after her health check is negative after the 96-hour window that we,

39:52 we want to make sure there's no suspicious reaction.

39:55 So that's all clear.

39:57 She was weak, dehydrated, a bit emaciated.

40:00 But now that she's taken to, you know, the TLC that we're giving her here,

40:05 she's definitely put on some weight and she's eager to take every feeding.

40:10 NARRATOR: Jackie still has to finish quarantine,

40:14 but her transformation is incredible.

40:17 She's gulping down whole bottles of milk.

40:20 And the liquid lunches have dramatically improved Jackie's health.

40:28 MAMA POSSEH: Finish?

40:30 NARRATOR: Now she's noticing everything— ants in particular.

40:34 Just as popular with chimps as termites,

40:37 they are a source of protein that's worth the effort.

40:44 Jackie may have newfound confidence,

40:47 but 'me time' with Mama Posseh feels as good as ever.

40:53 (music) (music) (music) (music) (music) When Mama Posseh has work to do,

41:26 Jackie, amazingly, hangs out on her own.

41:31 She's out of her shell and enjoying life.

41:35 (singing) When you open your eyes NARRATOR:

41:38 Jackie knows where Posseh is, and that's enough to reassure her.

41:43 MAMA POSSEH: Come.

41:44 Come, let's go now.

41:46 Come this way.

41:50 Jackie, come.

41:52 Okay.

41:55 Come this way.

41:56 NARRATOR: But sometimes Jackie's fresh independence tests Posseh's patience.

42:02 (music) MAMA POSSEH: Come take mango.

42:10 This for you.

42:11 Come.

42:11 NARRATOR: She might always have one eye on mom,

42:14 but it's conveniently turned when it's time to come inside.

42:18 (grunting) Jackie's sweet tooth eventually gives

42:22 in, and mom can finally put her to bed.

42:26 MAMA POSSEH: Take mango.

42:28 Take.

42:29 Why do you remove the Pampers?

42:31 Eh, eh, eh.

42:32 NARRATOR: Turning Jackie's life around is a huge achievement for Mama Posseh.

42:37 Her extraordinary connection with baby chimps has saved many.

42:41 MAMA POSSEH: That's all...

42:43 Ah ah ah ah ah.

42:45 NARRATOR: Even as they grow up with their own kind, they never forget her.

42:51 MAMA POSSEH: Ohh, ohh!

42:53 Stop that.

42:53 NARRATOR: To each of them, she will always be mom.

43:01 At Tacugama, the forgotten chimps of Africa have a fighting chance.

43:06 There is still a long way to go

43:07 to ensure their long-term future in Sierra Leone,

43:11 but Bala's passion burns as bright as ever.

43:14 AMARASEKARAN: The dream to put the chimpanzees back in the wild,

43:17 the Tacugama chimps, is still, it's something in my head all the time.

43:21 There's no life without hope.

43:23 You've got to keep hoping for it.

43:25 But then hope without hard work doesn't take you anywhere.

43:30 Everybody has a dream.

43:33 What is different is we are following our dream.

43:36 We want to make sure the dream comes true so we are working hard towards that.

43:42 GOODALL: I really take my hat off to him

43:45 and his staff for the tremendous work that they've done.

43:51 NARRATOR: In a corner of the sanctuary, a gentle song rises above the trees.

43:56 MAMA POSSEH (singing): I go tap me foot for you I go clap me hands for you Tap,

44:00 tap, tap your hands NARRATOR:

44:02 New arrival Jackson finds comfort in the arms of mom.

44:07 MAMA POSSEH (singing): I go tap me hands for you I go clap me hands for you