Kikongo In Recovery

Have to be honest, I haven't been sleeping. Now the flu is over, I was going to just move on and keep going but it never happened. In the middle of the day I just start tearing up for no reason. Then there are my obsessive walks, pacing the sanctuary peering into everybody's faces to make sure there is no sign of a rerun. There isn't. But Brian, tired of all my tossing and turning and keeping him awake, suggested I concentrate on the bonobos saved by the amazing staff here. Promise I will move on soon, but I hope you won't mind me sharing a few stories.

During the crisis: Kikongo, the bonobo our student Suzy rescued in the middle of the night, is convalescing in the nursery. He is about 8 years old now, and usually in with the juveniles. After scaring us to death for two days - he was face down in the forest when Suzy found him, and she had to carry him to the vet block on her back - he spent another 48 hours being treated with oxygen while he gasped for breath. Anyway, the mamas are now keeping a close eye on him while he is in with the little ones.

It was like one of the cool high school kids just turned up at preschool - all the babies were following him around like he was a rock star, and even Kata, who won't say 'boo' to a fly, couldn't stop offering her swelling. That's her pushing her bottom in Kikongo's face. Kikongo was living it up, having sex with everyone and stealing all the milk - because he is a full head taller than everyone else.