Saving Primate Leila

Rescuing a chimp from a life of misery became one man's mission

- John Grobler

MANY obstacles had to be overcome in this amazingly brave and compassionate rescue. We continue with award-winning investigative Namibian journalist John Grobler’s cross-country rescue mission to save chimp Leila, as he waits to get the necessary permission to get her to a temporary sanctuary. “

...Later, Dr Duarte called. Unfortunately, the director was still attending a symposium, and not available. My heart started to sink. I thought about abducting Leila, but how would I get past the roadblocks? My press card has expired, and how would I explain a chimp to a nosy and greedy policeman?

Despondent, I went in search of something to eat and find a friendly little place where I lucked out – the owner, listening to my tale about Leila, pointed out a customer – the director himself. I dashed over and introduced myself as a visiting journalist. I pleaded Leila’s case: a bankrupt park, owner in hiding, critically endangered species, invalid documents and an offer to help by Dr Duarte.

Ah yes – he was ‘very busy with a very important symposium all the time’, and ‘unlikely to be able to do anything before Friday’. I persisted: I need to leave, I’m running out of money and time, and Leila will die if she is not rescued. ‘Okay’, he said. He’d be ‘back in the office late Wednesday. Maybe Thursday’. He would see what could be done.

The next day I was on tenterhooks: I couldn’t put any plans into motion before I knew for sure I had the authorisation to confiscate Leila and move her to Luanda to safety. Late in the afternoon, I got a call: there was a chance the papers would be ready tomorrow.