A young chimpanzee, captured by humans, was transferred to a sanctuary to integrate with its peers but was killed by other chimpanzees.
The 4-year-old female chimpanzee named Baran was moved from Eram Zoo in Tehran, Iran, to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary in central Kenya in August 2021. According to a statement from the sanctuary, Baran had an unexpected encounter with several other chimpanzees. They displayed aggressive behavior towards the newcomer and ultimately killed her.
Chimpanzee Baran before being killed by her peers. (Photo: Ol Pejeta Conservancy).
“The caregivers quickly intervened to stop the altercation. However, in a short time, Baran sustained multiple severe injuries and required urgent medical treatment. Despite efforts to save her, the chimpanzee ultimately did not survive,” a representative of the sanctuary stated.
Baran was born in 2017 at the largest wildlife center in Tehran. Her mother gave birth prematurely and abandoned her. Other chimpanzees at the zoo also rejected Baran. Veterinarians at Eram Zoo took care of her from that point on, planning to return her to her mother once she was stronger.
However, contrary to their expectations, despite various attempts, both the mother and the group continued to reject Baran. With no other options, the veterinary team decided to keep the animal, with Dr. Eman Memarian feeding Baran daily by spoon-feeding her like a baby.
After her mother’s death, Baran had to move to a separate enclosure to avoid attacks from other chimpanzees. The transfer to the sanctuary in Kenya was the result of months of collaboration between the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Eram Zoo, the Kenya Wildlife Service, staff from the Iranian embassy, and various other animal welfare organizations.
Following the transfer, Baran was quarantined for 90 days as required by the Kenya Wildlife Service. During this time, medical staff cared for her 24/7, as rescued chimpanzees transferred to Sweetwaters often need to regain their health.
“Baran completed her quarantine after arriving at the sanctuary and was moved to the main chimpanzee enclosure, where she began learning to integrate with other chimpanzees. Baran could see her peers from a distance but did not have physical contact,” according to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
During this phase, it was essential to help the chimpanzees become familiar with one another until bonds formed. Baran broke through barriers and interacted with other chimpanzees. Although the group of chimpanzees was not in the same room as Baran, there was a wall with barriers. They interacted through these barriers.
Ol Pejeta Conservancy reported that 22 chimpanzees have successfully integrated into the Sweetwaters sanctuary in previous years. “We take this situation very seriously and will ensure to reinforce our processes and standards. We are deeply saddened by Baran’s death as she would have become a young member of the 34 chimpanzees living in the sanctuary,” a spokesperson for Ol Pejeta shared.
