Little chimpanzee Manno will never forget the way this man’s dedication helped him. As proof of that, he can show others how Manno reacted to him when they meet.
It was a long story. It all started in 2014 when Spencer Sekyer travelled to Africa and the Middle East from Canada for volunteer work. When he reached northern Iraq he had to come across a zoo.
He found Manno inside a little cage in the zoo. When Manno was not locked up in the cage, he had to dress up and get fed sweets which made him sick by people who wanted to take pictures with him. he was just a prop in the zoo.
But his saviour was already there for him. Sekyer knew that he had to do something to let the chimp live his real life.
Sekyer learned more about Manno’s history and the truth behind global wildlife trafficking which is one of the largest criminal networks. Manno had been brought to the private zoo from Africa, after being stolen, and the zoo had bought him for $15000.
Sekyer had to return to Alberta, Canada and then he started the difficult work of trying to rescue the young chimp. There was quickly becoming a warzone as ISIS was closing in on the territory. Sekyer had already made a promise to Manno and he wholeheartedly keep it.
Sekyer got help from primatologist Jane Goodall whom he met at an event in Canada. With Goodall’s help, Manno started to have hope in his heart. OI Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya is involved in this got effort to bring Manno back to Africa, where there is the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.
Three years after they met each other, the little chimp was transported to the sanctuary. But when new animals arrive at the sanctuary, they have to go through a quarantine period. Thankfully, Sekyer was with Manno until his quarantine period is over to help him transition to his new home.
To his surprise, Manno remembered Sekyer, the man who saved him. With his arms, both of them hugged each other and that would be never forgotten. After all, Manno was successfully rescued and finally able to relate with other chimps.
It was not that easy for him to live around his relatives, as Manno had never been with chimps. Sekyer was always there to help him to integrate with them. When Manno and the chimps tickle each other Sekyer thought that it was time for him to say goodbye! Even if they are apart Sekyer will never forget the last hug he got from Manno. He will always have that video to help him remember the genuine connection they had.
