Sindila (means be resilient in the local dialect)
Background: Estimated DOB: March 2005 Gender: Male Origin: Mpivié River
Biography: Sindila arrived at the Projet Gorille Fernan-Vaz in June of 2005 after being rescued by a tourism boat pilot from the hands of poachers along the Mpivié River. It goes without saying that Sindila became an orphan and dependant on humans that day. It is very important to implement relevant sanctions related to the illegal hunting and trafficking of this integrally protected species. Sindila loves to play and forage in the forest, and is very close to Ivindo. He tends to be very protective of all the females in the group.
 Cessé Background: Estimated DOB: December 2005 Gender: Male Origin: Njolé (close de Lambaréné) Biography:
Cessé arrived at the projet in December 2007 around the age of 2 years. He arrived from Evaro village (central Gabon) with Eliwa. He was found by an Evaro village employee caged at a local market. His gorilla family apparently comes from a forest nearby Njolé. Like all other orphans at this project, Cessé has lost his family, his home and his freedom. He has, however, now joined a group of 6 other orphans which will hopefully be reintroduced back into the wild. Cessé loves to play games and to forage in the forest.
Wanga (name of plains near the Gamba complex) Background: Estimated DOB: May 2007 Gender: Female Origin: Gamba
Biography: In July of 2007, this little female was dropped in front of the Loango National Park conservationist's home. Despite losing her family, her home, let alone her freedom, she has managed to remain courageous as reflected by her desire to live. Wanga enjoys laughing and climbing. It is hoped that she will one day return to the forest to give back to her offspring what some humans have taken from her; dignity and freedom.  | Gimenu (means life in the local dialect)
Background: Estimated DOB: June 2004 Gender: Male Origin: Makokou Biography:
In November 2006, an emaciated and debilitated Gimenu arrived at the Projet Gorille Fernan-Vaz from the local Port-Gentil zoo. He lived 3 years of solitude in his cage as a victim of the illegal pet trade. Although it took some time to readapt to forest life, he has proven to be both wise and witty as he perhaps has some knowledge acquired in the past while living peacefully in his group in the wild. Gimenu is now well acquainted with his 6 other gorilla buddies. The vision is that they can all one day be reintroduced as a group back into the wild. Gimenu is good-natured, patient and a peacekeeper...thus a good candidate for the dominant silverback position.  Ivindo (a national park in north-eastern Gabon) Background: Estimated DOB: May 2005 Gender: Female Origin: Ivindo
Biography: In September of 2005, Ivindo was flown to the project from Ivindo, Gabon. She was integrated with Sindila who was happy to have her company. Ivindo quickly learned how to handle Sindila’s exuberant and playful character. She subsequently became an expert climber to avoid Sindila’s pursuits. She is also a champion nest builder and loves to forage. We hope she will be a great leader as the most senior female of the gorilla group we wish to one day reintroduce.  Éliwa (means lagoon in the local dialect) Background: Estimated DOB: September 2006 Gender: Female Origin: Lambaréné
Biography: In December 2007, Eliwa was transferred to the PGFV from the Evaro village with her companion Cessé. Eliwa would have arrived at Evaro village in the third trimester of 2006. Prior to this, she was treated at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital in Lambaréné for a fracture within her right arm. Eliwa is now considered the most athletic of all the PGFV gorillas and spends most of her days climbing trees and splurging on wild leaves.
 Bélinga Background: Estimated DOB: November 2010 Gender: Female Origin: Mékambo Biography: In February 2011, this female orphan gorilla was confiscated by wildlife authorities in the area of Mékambo (north-east Gabon). She was immediately transferred to the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (south-east Gabon) where she undertook her first few months of quarantine. She was then transferred to the project in June 2011 and integrated to the group of 6 other orphan gorillas in early 2012. She was immediately accepted by the entire group and both of the eldest females, Ivindo and Éliwa, fought to carry her on their back. Since then, Bélinga has become attached to Éliwa who spends a lot of her time foraging. Today, Bélinga shows very little interest in humans (except when milk time comes up of course!). |
