The daily life  of JACK sanctuary has been turned upside down since September 9th. In the middle of the night, people not yet identified entered our sanctuary with the aim of stealing  young chimpanzees.

Monga (five-six year old female), Hussein (male, almost three years old) and Cesar (two and a half year old male) were taken to an unknown destination. Three babies who had just been saved and for whom the Founders were happy to be able to offer a second chance in life.

A few hours after this horrific kidnapping, the criminals sent a terrible video showing the traumatized chimpanzees while later demanding a colossal six-figure ransom to free them.

They also threaten to decapitate one of the babies and deliver its head to the sanctuary if their request is not met. These kidnappers did not hesitate to make death threats against the founders and their families if they try to involve the police.

This is a first time in the history of sanctuaries, that Great Apes has been targeted for ransom. By this act, these kidnappers have taken the traffic to another level because this could inspire malicious people to attack other sanctuaries in DR Congo or in elsewhere in the world.

Also, we are constantly on alert at J.A.C.K. and, ince the day the babies were stolen, J.A.C.K. Founders have urged to enhance the security at the complex. Nothing has been done so far. Founder Roxane, whose life was threatened as she was dealing with the kidnapppers at the early beginnng (husband Franck was abroad when the abduction take place), asked  for her own security to be nfoced, but her demand has never been heard…

 As chimpanzees are the heritage of the Congolese state, it is the state that conducts the investigations. J.A.C.K. does not have the legal abilities to do so.

Unfortunately, the state isn’t sharing any information with the founders. We do not know what is going on. However, one thing is clear: the babies haven’t yet been found! We are alone and we feel abandoned when so many promises have been made to help us, to find them… It’s really sad!