Escape to Chimp Eden

Escape to Chimp Eden
Genre Nature, documentary
Created by Eugene Cussons
Directed by Anton Truesdale
Country of origin United States
Original language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 32
Production
Executive producer(s) Erik Nelson
Dave Harding
Phil Fairclough
Location(s) South Africa
Running time 30 minutes
Release
Original network Animal Planet
Original release February 8, 2008
External links
Website

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.

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 these creatures 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 human 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 Cozi to climb a tree for the first time. "Cozi 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, Cozi 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.

Featured chimpanzees

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Chimp Approx. Age Date of Rescue Status Enclosure
Abu 16 Years March 2006 Deceased N/A
Amadeus 13 Years March 2006 Alpha Male Adult
Azie 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
Cozi 11 Years April 2006 3rd Male Juvenile 1
Dinka 2 Years April 2007 Infant Male Juvenile 1
Gida 7 Years October 2006 Deceased N/A
Jessica 25 Years December 2008 Adult Female Juvenile 2
Jinga 13 Years November 2006 Alpha Female Adult
Jao 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
Lily 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
Nicky 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
Xena 4 Years July 2006 Infant Female Juvenile 1
Zac 17 Years October 2006 Alpha Male Juvenile 1
Zee 2 Years April 2007 Infant Female Juvenile 1

Between Seasons 1 & 2 both Abu and Gida died. Gida died in the episode The Rise and Fall of Gida due to captive chimp syndrome, suffering complications from organ failure. Abu's death was also aired in a previous episode.

See also

References

  1. ↑

External links

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