Fundraiser for Save the Chimps

WIP , a photo by pangorillapongo on Flickr.

I'm preparing for my first cage-sit early next month to raise money for Save the Chimps. My goal is to eventually raise $1300- that's enough to feed one ex-lab chimp for a whole year! In the cage-sit, I will spend 24 hours in a space the size of the smallest legal laboratory chimpanzee cage. It's a great way of highlighting what these chimps go through.

Olivia Helman and Aubrey M. Curl have successfully held two cage-sits. Check out their blog to read all about it! http://www.change4chimps.blogspot.com/

I'm planning to sell artwork on the day of the cage-sit as well, that's what the half-completed chimp painting up the top is for. I will probably be selling it on ebay (with at least one other piece). I will keep you posted!

A gorilla-themed post...

... because I love gorillas!

Mahale, a young gorilla who lives at Taronga Zoo

I am planning a fundraiser for Ape Action Africa at the moment, I'm still not sure exactly what it will involve- hopefully it will be something fun and interesting! Ape Action Africa do such amazing work caring for orphaned primates in Cameroon who have suffered as a result of the illegal bushmeat trade.
 If you have fundraising ideas or suggestions, please comment!

Some fun ways to help gorillas:

1.Adopt an orphaned gorilla in Cameroon. Four of AAA's gorillas are available for 'adoption'. It is very rewarding to learn about your 'adopted' gorilla and know that you are helping him/her and others like them. Personally, I've 'adopted' a beautiful little girl named Nona and have her photo proudly on my wall! :)
 Find out more: http://www.apeactionafrica.org/adopt-an-ape

2. Recycle your mobile phone. Coltan mining in the Congo is causing encroachment onto gorilla habitat, by recycling your unused mobile phones you are helping to decrease the damand for coltan.


Fataki (Taronga Zoo)


Frala (Taronga Zoo)

On a non-gorilla matter, I have paid the money from my donation box onto my fundraising page for Save the Chimps and the total currently stands at $245!!! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, it is hugely appreciated!!! :D
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/amy-atherton-1/freedomforlabchimps

Finally another blog entry!

 Mr Sandali!

Hello!
I've been a bit quiet recently, unfortunately I haven't been able to visit the chimpanzees at Monarto Zoo since March as I've been saving money for something very important to me. I might be going sometime next month though, I really hope so!
 This photo is from my most recent visit to Monarto Zoo. Most of the chimps stayed hidden for almost all of the two hours I was there, but Zwala and Sandali were busy splashing about and foraging in the clam shell pool. It was lovely to watch them.


 I'm very excited to see how much Adelaide Zoo's orang boy, Kluet has grown. His cheeks are really coming in and he's looking MASSIVE!

Kluet

 Fundraising for Save the Chimps has been a bit slow recently as well, but I have quite a bit in the donation box at the moment which I'll be donating online soon. Please keep the donations coming!

New Years Day- Chimp Style

Zwala

On the 1st of January I went with my mum to Monarto Zoo and as usual I spent most of the time watching the chimpanzees. A feeding toy had been put out in the enclosure and it was very popular with the chimps, especially the boys and little Zwala. When it started to rain, most of the chimps ran indoors but Zwala stuck it out and continued going trying to get food out.


Zwala and the boys

I also brought a bag of New Years presents for all the chimps. I gave them some blankets, a large sheet, magazines with peanut butter and seeds hidden inside and a few other things.


I'm still raising money to sponsor Roady's migration to sanctuary in Florida. Please donate, it would make a huge difference for a chimpanzee who has suffered so much for our benefit. Any donation, however small or large, will be greatly appreciated. http://www.firstgiving.com/freedomforlabchimps


Zombi

My new adopted chimps

As a Christmas present, my mum adopted two more of Monkey World's chimpanzees for me, Seamus and Kyko who are both in the bachelor group.

I've adopted Seamus previously as he is my absolute favourite chimpanzee. He's Cherri's son though she didn't care for him properly and he had to be hand raised. Seamus born in 1999 and is well known for his naughty personality. Seamus also has a very sweet side, and is a very lovable guy.

Photos of Seamus:







I've never adopted Kyko before, but he's been one of my favourite chimps for a while. He had a terrible start to life being smuggled from the wild for use as a photographer's prop Spain. As part of his act was forced to wear roller skates which crippled his feet. Luckily he can walk just fine now and is a very lovable chimp. He is thought to have been born in 1987. Kyko is such a sweetheart xx

Photos of Kyko:





If you have a look at MW's website, they've used this photo I took of Kyko-
http://www.monkeyworld.org/meet-our-primates/butchs-chimpanzees.htm

Help Migrate a Laboratory Chimpanzee to Sanctuary in Florida!!

'Please help my fellow chimps in America!' Galatea

I have just set up a fundraising page for Save the Chimps: http://www.firstgiving.com/freedomforlabchimps

This will be an ongoing fundraiser to help cover the costs of transporting one of the chimps to Florida. There are still many chimps living in the New Mexico that have yet to make the journey to permanent sanctuary on islands in Florida. The cost to sponsor one chimp's migration is $2500 which is the target I hope to achieve. These chimpanzees have suffered so much for our benefit and they are so deserving of a wonderful future at the sanctuary. Please donate to help these beautiful apes xx

 For more information about the 'Great Chimpanzee Migration' please visit https://www.savethechimps.org/the-great-chimp-migration

I have also set up an account of RedBubble and will be selling artwork of Monarto Zoo's chimpanzees to raise funds. The zoo has kindly allowed me to give most of the money raised to Save the Chimps Inc, the rest will be donated to Monarto Zoo's primate section.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/pangorillapongo


Clin, an ex-lab chimp, now living at Monkey World

Merry Christmas!

Gombe

Happy Christmas everyone! Please think of all the apes and other animals who can benefit from your generosity during the festive season. I hope the new lady chimps at Monarto Zoo enjoy the warm weather in their first Australian Christmas. xx

 I think a great idea for a Christmas present is an ape 'adoption', which are offered by many sanctuaries. I made an adoption donation for Christmas to Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre. This is my beautiful new adoptee, Cherri-


Cherri

She's had a bit of a rough life. Cherri was born in the wild and probably saw her mother killed. She was then shipped to Spain where she was used as a photographer's prop. She arrived at Monkey World at less than two years old and had already suffered a broken jaw from the terrible treatment she recieved. Nowadays, Cherri is a respected dominant female in a large community. She's had two infants who she sadly didn't know how to look after properly, Pip, who sadly passed away at the age of only 7, and Seamus.

Visit http://www.monkeyworld.org/ if you are interested in adopting one of their chimps!