The chimps at the Born Free-supported Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in Uganda, are currently undergoing their annual routine health checks. 

It is a huge undertaking with all 49 chimpanzees being health checked.

All of the chimps are checked from head to toe – from eyes, ears and teeth, to circulation, respiration and organ function. Blood screening is also done to check for any diseases or conditions which may not appear in other tests. 

The health checks started on 23rd July and will be finished towards the end of August. As of 28th July, 13 chimps had been checked and all had passed with flying colours!

Ngamba Island is a sanctuary for chimps in need. The chimps live amidst  100 acres of rain forests. Before the sanctuary was established, the forest was degraded, but since the chimps’ arrival, the island has blossomed, and is now home to more than 120 species of bird, 50,000 fruit bats, monitor lizards, hippos and other wildlife.

Ngamba is also home to Sara the chimp, who is part of Born Free’s adoption programme. Sara was confiscated from a wildlife trader in South Sudan, who tried to sell her as a pet. She was rescued and brought to the sanctuary in 2011. Thanks to the expert care at Ngamba, she has recovered and now lives happily as part of community of other rescued chimps. 

NGAMBA ISLAND     ADOPT SARA

© Ngamba Island