Obasanjo donates his chimpanzee ‘Patience’ to the zoo

Obasanjo donates his
chimpanzee ‘Patience’ to the
zoo

– Former president Obasanjo donates his
chimpanzee Patience to a non-profit animal
centre
– Patience will join the group at the newly
completed Nigerian Chimpanzee Center
Former president donates his chimpanzee
Patience to animal centre
Ex-president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has
given his chimpanzee Patience to
conservation organisation Pandrillus
Foundation, The Cable reports.
The founders of the animal centre Liza
Gadsby and Peter Jenkins said that the ex-
president decided to put the three-year old
animal in the care of Pandrillus because he
understood the special care needs of
chimpanzees.



According to them, Obasanjo wants Patience
to grow up in the forest as part of the large
chimpanzee group at Drill Ranch Afi
Mountain.
“ Patience is a fantastic chimpanzee who has
been well cared for by the staff of the
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL)
Wildlife Park ,” the founders said.
“ Once she has completed her medical
screening in Calabar, she will join the group at
the newly completed Nigerian Chimpanzee
Center – located at Drill Ranch Afi Mountain in
Boki LGA of Cross River state.
“Pandrillus thanks Mr. President and his staff
for their logistical support and hospitality
during Peter and Liza’s working visit.
Welcome, Patience!”
Gadsby and Jenkins have been working in
Nigeria since 1988. They said former
president visited Drill Ranch in 2001, and
made a follow-up visit in 2011. They
appreciated Obacanjo for his gesture, and
promised to take care of the chimpanzee.
The foundation said it has included the
challenge of stopping the extinction of the
highly rare drill monkey Mandrillus
leucophaeus, and its mission has expanded
to include chimpanzees, and other wildlife
that share the drill’s habitat.
Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s military ruler
(1976–1979) and, as a civilian, as president
(1999–2007).