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zaterdag 13 september 2025
Adorable photo's and video of lions Tarzan and Tanya rescued from a circus in Guatemala, devoted to each other the 'wildlife sanctuary sweethearts' have both passed away
zaterdag 2 augustus 2025
LOVE CONQUERS ALL: Tarzan and Tanya's story of love, devotion and loyalty (video)
We are heartbroken to announce that our dear Tanya, Tarzan’s lifetime companion and protector, has passed away. Tanya was 15-16 years old and rescued from a circus in Guatemala with her lifelong love, Tarzan. Tanya was taken into hospital this week after becoming unwell. Dr Caldwell said he felt nauseous on seeing her scans and x-rays, knowing what this would mean – Tanya had a lymphoma in her spleen which had spread and was impacting her intestine, putting pressure on her internal organs, and causing respiratory distress. It was not operable, we had to let her go. | |
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As many will know from our posts over the years, sadly, cancer is common in our circus survivors. Their terrible existence in the circus is all high stress levels, bare boards and bars, no room to move, nothing of interest, frustration, abuse and malnutrition; all of this impacts their health. Peter advised this type of lymphoma spreads rapidly and then hits with a multitude of symptoms; in this case it was a sudden lack of appetite, constipation and her breathing. In the 48 hours before she was taken into hospital, Tarzan was nursing and protecting her. He has been calm and not stressed since she left and we now believe he was aware she was dying. Our team is following our grief protocols with Tarzan to help him through his loss. | ||
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How Tanya and Tarzan Got Away from the Circus Tanya and Tarzan stole people’s hearts around the world with their incredible devotion to each other and displays of affection. Together, they saw each other through the worst of times in a circus in Guatemala and the best of times in the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS), South Africa. https://adiwildlifesanctuary.org.za/ Seven years ago, Tanya and her beloved Tarzan were rescued during ADI’s Operation Liberty, when, with Guatemalan officials, we seized all the wild animals from circuses to enforce the Guatemala Government’s animal circus ban. We found them in a tiny, bare cage the size of a queen bed, on the back of a truck. Tanya and Tarzan’s circus existence was brutal – a lifetime of people hitting, shouting, screaming, being pushed in and out of tiny cages, and performances. No respite. Nothing of interest to engage these highly intelligent, emotional beings. No veterinary care. Malnourished, with food so poor it could barely sustain life. | ||
Nevertheless, Tanya was always brave, a tiny, ferocious protector and defender of her beloved Tarzan. In a foolish and ignorant move, the circus allowed a full-grown male tiger into the same space as full-grown Tarzan. The tiger attacked and Tarzan fought for his life. Tanya fought to defend her Tarzan and came out of the fight with her ear torn and covered in scars. In the bloody encounter, Tarzan’s bottom lip was torn from his face and healed hanging from his chin. | ||
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When they arrived at the ADI Temporary Rescue Unit (TRU) in Guatemala from the circus, young lioness Sasha (from another circus) was in the next exercise enclosure and approached the fence to see the huge, handsome Tarzan; feisty little Tanya threw herself between Tarzan and Sasha, making it clear he was hers! Following 18 months in ADI’s TRU, in January 2020 we flew 17 lions and tigers, including Tarzan and Tanya, to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa. It was one of our most complex journeys, via Mexico, Belgium and Qatar with Tarzan and Tanya sharing a pallet so they could see each other. Reunited in the ADIWS, Tanya first saw Tarzan when she was at the top of a platform, and jumped right on top of him! | ||
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Home in Africa, the pair loved life in the 4-acre Augie Habitat at ADIWS, playing with toys, sitting in shade of the little woodland, watching the world go by from the top of their platforms, roaring out the day’s news with the neighbours, and – most enjoyable – taking their time to walk ever-so-slowly when called in for their food or treats with supplements/meds. They had quickly noticed the human carers are not allowed to move on until they had their meds and food! Dr Caldwell performed a ground-breaking lip lift on Tarzan, re-attaching his lip as much as was possible. We took Tanya to the hospital as well to keep him company, and the video of her nuzzling his face on their return to their habitat at ADIWS was very special. | ||
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They would sleep holding each other, and gave each other great big, washy wet kisses. Over the years, Tanya remained as feisty and protective of Tarzan as when they arrived; during the Facebook lives, we got used to her grumbling and growling if she felt the camera was getting too close to Tarzan! In recent weeks, she watched over and nursed Tarzan as he struggled with osteoarthritis, and then, we noticed Tarzan did the same when she got sick. Their love and loyalty will forever be an inspiration to us all. We will miss you, Tanya. | ||
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Thank you to everyone who made their life at ADIWS possible. Today, it is heartbreaking, but always remember the precious seven years of happiness you gave them. We know that many supporters like to give in memoriam donations when this happens, so if you would like to remember Tanya and help us continue to look after Tarzan you can donate here. | ||
Yours for the animals | ||
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Jan Creamer, President |
donderdag 12 juni 2025
Chimpanzee named “Tarzan” Is Finally Rescued After Being Held Captive For 25 Years In The Democratic Republic Of The Congo
Photos By: Dio Dieudonne
Yesterday, Conserv Congo, in collaboration with Lwiro Primates Sanctuary and Bonobo Aid, rescued an adult chimpanzee who had been illegally held captive for nearly 25 years by a family in Bunia, Ituri.
The national police and the Ministry of Environment assisted the groups with the rescue of the chimpanzee named Tarzan, who was found chained to a truck engine block earlier this year by one of Conserv Congo’s investigators.
I get upset seeing this chimp and thinking 25 years on a chain and living off alcohol and cigaretts and adicted to both. It makes me sick and sad and the abusers go free
Tarzan was an infant when the family purchased him in the 1990’s. He spent his young life being used as a prop for tourists to take selfies with for $10 a photo. As he grew older and became more aggressive, the family shockingly tried to calm Tarzan down by giving him alcohol and cigarettes, to which he became addicted. Sickening!
Then, deemed “useless,” the tortured animal was left in filth, chained in a half built structure with writing on the wall that read, “Beware of Tarzan, the ferocious beast.”
Tarzan, who is currently on his way to Goma and then to Bukavu, where he will be placed at Lwiro Primates sanctuary, had previously lived in the area for so long that he was known by everyone and had become some what of a “mascot” for the neighborhood. During the negotiations to rescue Tarzan, which took about two days, the entire neighborhood arrived in a mob, refusing to let Tarzan be taken away. They somehow believed they loved him, although it was clear they did not by allowing him to suffer for this long.
Conserv Congo quickly rallied their team of negotiators and after 48 hours, Tarzan was finally released to the organization.
“You must understand, this is the first time that Conserv Congo has rescued a chimp of this age and size. We had fear and excitement at the same time during the rescue, but eventually we saved this poor soul,” Adams Cassinga, Founding Director for Conserv Congo told WAN. “Even though he lived half of his life in chains, he can now be free and wild with his own kind at the sanctuary.”
The villagers didn't want to let him go but look at the photo. They came to look but did nothing. He remained on a chain for 25 years.!!
Ituri, the province in which he was rescued from, has been in a state of siege for a week, and the war is still ongoing. Thankfully, the respective teams made up of veterinarians, investigators, police, and government inspectors, were still able to move forward with Tarzan’s rescue.
“I am just worried about his future due to the trauma that he has endured and the many substances he has consumed. However, we know the sanctuary where he is headed to and they will try their best to right the wrong of his past,” continued Cassinga. “One thing is for sure, deep down Tarzan is grateful to us for his freedom and life. In our work, there is no reward greater than that!”
While relieved that Tarzan has been rescued, there are tragically countless other chimpanzees that continue to suffer at the hands of wildlife traffickers throughout Africa.
Please consider making a donation to Conserv Congo to help them in their efforts to protect and save wildlife in the Democratic Republic of Congo, HERE!
You can also donate to Bonobo Aid HERE!
As well as Lwiro Primates Sanctuary HERE!
You can help all animals and our planet by choosing compassion on your plate and in your glass. #GoVeg
donderdag 20 mei 2021
Chimpansee Tarzan gered na 25 jaar illegale gevangenschap vastgeketend om zijn nek aan een motorblok en verslaafd aan alcohol en sigaretten om hem kalm te houden
Eerder dit jaar werd de chimpansee met de naam Tarzan, vastgeketend aan een motorblok van een vrachtwagen aangetroffen, door een van de onderzoekers van Conserv Congo. Hij werd gezien in een zeer arme wijk van Bunia, met een grote ketting om zijn nek, vastgeketend aan het motorblok.
Tarzan verslaafd aan sigaretten en alcohol
De familie kocht Tarzan rond 1990, toen hij nog een baby was. Hij werd gebruikt voor toeristen, die een selfie met hem mochten maken voor $ 10 per foto. Naarmate Tarzan ouder werd, begon hij agressiever gedrag te vertonen. De familie probeerde hem te kalmeren door hem sigaretten en alcohol te geven, waaraan hij verslaafd raakte. Toen Tarzan niet meer nuttig was voor de familie, werd het gemartelde dier tussen het vuil achtergelaten, vastgeketend in een half afgebouwde constructie. Op de muur stond in het Frans geschreven: ‘Verboden toegang – woest beest Tarzan’.
De chimpansee leefde al zo lang bij de familie dat iedereen uit de buurt hem kende en hij een soort ‘mascotte’ voor hen was geworden. De redding van Tarzan duurde maar liefst twee dagen. De onderhandelingen duurden lang en de buurtbewoners wilden de aap niet laten gaan. Op de een of andere manier leken ze van hem te houden, hoewel het duidelijk was dat ze dat niet deden doordat hij al zo lang in zulke vreselijke omstandigheden leefde. Uiteindelijk werd hij vrijgelaten.
Redding ondanks oorlog
Tarzan heeft geluk gehad dat hij gered kon worden. In Ituri, de provincie waar hij leefde, is het gevaarlijk vanwege een oorlog die daar woedt. Gelukkig konden de dierenartsen, onderzoekers, politie en overheidsinspecteurs toch aan de slag om hem te redden. Tijdens zijn redding werd hij onder narcose gebracht door een dierenarts om hem te kunnen bevrijden en gelukkig is alles goed gegaan. Onder streng toezicht werd hij daarna overgebracht naar het hoofdkwartier van MONUSCO, de vredesmissie in de Democratische Republiek Congo. Tarzan is na twee dagen reizen via Goma naar Bukavu gebracht. Hier zal hij verzorgd worden in het Lwiro Primates Rehabilitation Center. Hier zal hij ook de rest van zijn leven door moeten brengen met soortgenoten. Directeur van Conserv Congo, Adams Cassinga, zegt tegen World Animal News:
“Het is de eerste keer dat Conserv Congo een chimpansee van deze leeftijd en grootte heeft gered. We waren bang en enthousiast tegelijk, maar uiteindelijk is het gelukt om deze arme ziel te redden. Hoewel hij voor de helft van zijn leven geketend heeft geleefd, kan hij nu vrij en wild zijn met zijn soortgenoten in het reservaat. Ik maak me wel zorgen over zijn toekomst door het trauma dat hij heeft opgelopen en de vele middelen die hij heeft gebruikt. Maar we kennen het opvangcentrum en zij zullen daar hun best doen om hem te helpen. Eén ding is zeker, diep van binnen is Tarzan ons dankbaar voor zijn vrijheid en leven. In ons werk is er geen grotere beloning dan dat.”
Conserv Congo is een non-profitorganisatie voor natuurbehoud in Kinshasa, opgericht door Adams Cassinga, een voormalig onderzoeksjournalist die zich nu bezighoudt met het onderzoeken van natuurcriminaliteit. Het team van vrijwillige activisten zet zich in om illegale natuur- en dierenhandel voor de rechter te brengen. De organisatie is opgericht in 2014 en is actief op het hele Congolese grondgebied. Op de Facebookpagina van Conserv Congo is het volgende te lezen:
“Er is nog een lange weg te gaan voordat het eindelijk doordringt dat apen geen huisdieren zijn en niet te koop zijn binnen onze gemeenschappen. Maar we zijn blij met iedereen die betrokken was bij het redden van Tarzan van zijn moderne slavernij.”
Bronnen: