•our founders •
Founders
& volunteer workers
The problem and the solution
An unofficial survey conducted by Franck Chantereau in Lubumbashi from 1995 to 2006 showed that about 3 young chimpanzees arrived monthly in town to be sold there or transited there before leaving for the Zambian border to reach South Africa and the rest of the world
When we know that on average 10 individuals are sacrificed to take 1 young great ape out of the forest in order to sell it, 3 young chimpanzees arriving in Lubumbashi therefore represented 30 great apes per month per month, i.e. approximately 360 individuals exterminated per year alone to meet the demand for illegal trade in exotic pets. A real massacre!
Indeed, these creatures were on sale in the streets of Lubumbashi despite existing laws. It should be noted that the DRC ratified the CITES agreements in 1976 and that nothing had been done for chimpanzees in Katanga since then.
A difficult start
From the beginning the situation for Franck and Roxane was far from easy!
From April 2006 to September 2006, the couple repeatedly appealed to international institutions dealing with great apes and animal protection for information or any logistical support. But, unfortunately, all the doors were closed!
It took a horrible sabotage, a criminal fire lit in the night enclosure where 5 baby chimpanzees slept in September 2006 then in the Zoo of Lubumbashi for the world to finally take an interest in these orphan babies injured, traumatized and saved by Franck and Roxane. A tragedy in which two young chimpanzees were burned alive – a despicable act intended to intimidate the European couple and stop their rescue of an endangered species.
Few people believed in the motivation and courage of Franck and Roxane and few people supported them. Three chimpanzees survived the flames of the sabotage and it was only natural that the Chantereaus continue to frame them and save others…
The association Jeunes Animaux Confisqués au Katanga (J.A.C.K.) was legally created on October 24, 2006. The acronym thus given to the reception center comes from the first name of «JAK», the first chimpanzee orphan rescued by the Chantereaus on April 6, 2006. It is indeed through this baby that this long story of saving great apes began and it is also in his memory that the association was named since «JAK» is one of the two baby chimpanzees who burned alive during the sabotage in September 2006. The NGO’s logo, a chimpanzee footprint, is also that of «JAK», the missing chimpanzee…
jak & his friend Touzo
"
co founder of J.a.c.k.
Roxane Couttenier
Most of the babies have mental trauma after experiencing the massacre of their group, the murder of their mother and the subsequent life held captive by humans who are disrespectful and ignorant of their needs.
"
co founder of J.a.c.k.
Franck Chantereau
Most of the babies have mental trauma after experiencing the massacre of their group, the murder of their mother and the subsequent life held captive by humans who are disrespectful and ignorant of their needs.
today
J.A.C.K. continues to grow day by day
A little journey
to the past...
These are some images of our beginnings. Babies used to carry in terrible conditions and took care of them day and night…Without a rest!
