TODAY IS OUR 15TH ANNIVERSARY!

On September 1st, 1999, I brought the first rescued chimpanzees to our yet-to-be-named sanctuary in Cameroon’s Mbargue Forest. Our beloved elder Jacky (center), now over 50 years old, was among them. We don’t know Jacky’s actual birthday, but on September 1st we’ll celebrate his liberation from the small, dark hotel cage where he suffered more than 30 years and the start of his new life of dignity at Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center. It was his “rebirth” day. We’ll honor him as an amazing person who has earned our respect and love and impacted the lives of so many other chimpanzees with his leadership and compassion.

I extend my profound gratitude to all of you who have helped us rescue and care for Jacky and almost 80 other beloved chimpanzees through the last 15 years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being with us on this journey!

Sincerely,
Sheri Speede
Founder/Director/Veterinarian
IDA-Africa and Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center