"Escape to Chimp Eden" (2008) TV series 2008-????

Director:

Anton Truesdale

Release Date:

8 February 2008 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary

Plot Keywords:

Animal Rescue | Nature Reserve | Chimpanzee | South Africa

Cast

Eugene Cussons

...

Himself

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA | South Africa

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

The Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Eden, Umhloti Nature Reserve, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Company:

Animal Planet

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: (#7.22)" (2008)

Interesting series highlights a devastating reality

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Escape to Chimp Eden highlights the tragically real events at Chimp Eden Sanctuary which is co-owned and subsequently sanctioned by The Jane Goodall Institute and the legendary conservationist herself. Chimp Eden is the only sanctuary of its kind in South Africa, where chimps are rescued on frequently dangerous missions by the sanctuary's founder Eugene Cussons. At the sanctuary, the chimpanzees are given large semi-wild environments to learn about life in the wild and develop social relationships with other chimps in the hopes that some day they can return to the wild.

The show highlights the sacrifices and terribly difficult decisions that Cussons has to make for the chimpanzees. Cussons is driven by the terrible reality that chimpanzees are being hunted for bush-meat. When a family of wild chimps is killed for their meat, their babies are captured and sold as pets (if they survive at all). A few lucky ones have ended up at Chimp Eden with a chance of returning to the wild.

This show is important because it highlights, sometimes with graphic footage, the desperate need for the conservation of our closest cousins. Escape to Chimp Eden works not just as a television series, but as a plea on behalf of all the chimpanzees struggling to survive and the humans who sacrifice so much to help them.