While we were in Malawi, still working with the vervets, we got approached by the Jane Goodall Institute Global for a the most interesting job. Interim management of a chimpanzee sanctuary. And not just any sanctuary, but Chimp Eden! The one we, as many others, watched on tv fantasizing about a life and a job like that. Literally the dream job.

It was interesting to live the reality of that dream including all amazing things but also all the difficulties and struggles that are never part of dreams. Anne went there in September 2014 while Sebas finished the release project in Malawi and followed her in December. We were there for six months. We managed to get Chimp Eden back on track improving necessary things on the ground and on management level, while providing tools to work with in the future.

We lived in the beautiful Umhloti Nature Reserve, close to Nelspruit with Kruger Park in our backyard. We worked with 34 amazing chimpanzees! Besides the interim part we managed the centre and worked on animal welfare and on building an escape proof enclosure to save the lives of Nikki and Amadeus. Which was accomplished by JGI Global with the help of Dr. Jane Goodall, the international community of conservationists and donations of the public.

After the project was finished we travelled through South Africa for a couple of months, enjoying nature specifically Kruger and the Wild Coast and meeting beautiful people.