After years of hardship and solitude, Yoko — a 38-year-old chimpanzee who was living alone in a zoo in Colombia — has been given a second chance after being relocated to a sanctuary in Brazil, according to FRANCE 24.
“Colombia is now without any great apes … none of these species are endemic to our country, and they have no reason to be here,” Colombian Senator Andrea Padilla told AFP.
Yoko was reportedly kidnapped when he was very young and raised by a narcotics trafficker — exotic animals were sadly common pets among drug lords in the 90s. He was fed junk food, taught how to smoke, and was forced to wear human clothes.
Due to these unhealthy behaviors, Yoko is missing nearly all his teeth and some fur from a skin condition.
In 2017, Yoko was rescued and eventually brought to a zoo in Pereira, Colombia, where he lived alongside other chimpanzees for some time.
But tragedy struck again in 2023 when two chimps — including his last remaining friend — escaped the zoo and were fatally shot. For the last couple of years, Yoko has lived in isolation.
“Chimpanzees are gregarious animals, very sociable and need to socialize with their species,” sanctuary veterinarian Camila Gentile told AFP. “For chimpanzees, living alone is torture.”
Now, he’s been transferred to Latin America’s largest sanctuary for great apes and will live with over 40 chimps in an environment far better suited to his needs.
Lady Freethinker is grateful that Yoko will live out his remaining years with the dignity, safety, and companionship he was so long denied.
