Saving Nyum and Mvi - Two baby Gorillas

Next morning I went to the market to see what was going on there. This was just my own initiative. In the market I went to a lady and ask her if she could help get smoked gorillas, crocodiles, chimps or live tortoises. This lady was selling bush meat: monkeys, porcupine bush pigs etc… I asked her lowering my voice so that she could understand I’m serious and experienced. I mentioned the tortoises just to add “ Maggie³ to my soup”. She told me I could only wait for one week because they depend on command from hunters. She asked me if I wanted only the smoked meat or also the live ones. She said she could take me to a dealer selling live gorillas if I wanted. I was very happy when I heard this but hid my happiness. I told her I was going to phone a white man I know, and ask him if he needs a live gorilla. I told her this man likes pets and can spend lots of money on it.

Life's Story - Saving orphaned gorillas in Cameroon

“He is here - he is crying - you have to take him fast - come quickly!”.

A surprising telephone call from my informers in a small town in eastern Cameroon. I am excited, but stressed – this is not according to the plan!

This was one of my first attempts to save the apes – things are improvised, dangerous and hard to control – Africa has its own ways to put your plans to ridicule time after time, and all I can do is learn as I go.