There is a new face at the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tchimpounga sanctuary in the Republic of the Congo, and her arrival marks a hopeful new chapter.

Meet Bili, a young Western Lowland Gorilla who arrived at Tchimpounga on September 23, 2026, after a remarkable journey across Africa.

Like so many of the animals who find refuge at Tchimpounga, Bili’s life in the wild was disrupted by the illegal wildlife trade. After being rescued from traffickers in Nigeria in 2023, 🔗 Bili was brought to the Pandrillus Foundation’s Drill Ranch — an internationally accredited primate sanctuary — where she spent the next three years receiving dedicated care and rehabilitation.

While Bili received excellent care at Drill Ranch, finding a long-term home where she could continue her rehabilitation and thrive remained a priority.

A Chance for Companionship

Western lowland gorillas are highly social animals that form close bonds with one another. As gorillas are not native to Nigeria, finding Bili a suitable long-term home presented a unique challenge.

The team at Pandrillus Foundation knew of another young gorilla who found refuge hundreds of miles away at JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary just a couple years ago. Her name is Mozambique, affectionately known as “ZZ.”

ZZ was rescued in 2024 and has been receiving specialized care from JGI’s experienced team at Tchimpounga ever since. The possibility of giving Bili access to the care she needs, along with the potential for companionship with another gorilla, presented an exciting opportunity.

With that in mind, conservation organizations and government authorities joined forces to bring Bili to Tchimpounga in the Republic of the Congo.

A Journey Across Borders

Transporting Bili safely to her new home required extraordinary coordination. Her journey began on September 21 with a 22-hour drive from Drill Ranch in Calabar, Nigeria to Lagos, Nigeria. From there, she boarded a DHL cargo flight bound for Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo, traveling through Gabon along the way.

Bili didn’t make the journey alone. Dr. Rebeca Atencia, Executive Director of JGI Republic of the Congo and Head Veterinarian of Tchimpounga, and Imelda Effiong, the Pandrillus caregiver who had looked after Bili for three years, were by her side the whole time.

After arriving in Pointe-Noire, Bili completed the final stretch of her journey by road to Tchimpounga, where her new chapter awaited.

“Every rescue is made possible through collaboration, and Bili’s journey demonstrates what can be achieved when conservation organizations, government authorities, logistics experts, and supporters work together with a shared commitment to wildlife protection.”

— Dr. Rebeca Atencia
Executive Director and Tchimpounga Head Veterinarian, JGI Republic of the Congo

Bili’s safe arrival was made possible through the collective efforts of DHL Express, Pandrillus Foundation, Focused Conservation, The Aspinall Foundation, United for Wildlife, government authorities in Nigeria and the Republic of the Congo, and the Jane Goodall Institute.

A New Home and a Hopeful Future

Today, Bili is beginning the next stage of her rehabilitation at JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary, where she joins ZZ, more than 150 rescued chimpanzees, and dozens of other wildlife receiving specialized care.

Here, JGI’s expert veterinarians and caregivers will provide Bili with individualized attention in a natural environment designed to support her physical and behavioral well-being. For a young gorilla whose early life was shaped by trauma, the opportunity to recover in a safe, nurturing environment is an important step forward.

The long-term goal for Bili is to eventually join the gorilla reintroduction program at the Lesio-Louna Gorilla Reserve, implemented by the Republic of the Congo’s Ministry of Forest Economy and The Aspinall Foundation. For more than three decades, this program has helped orphaned gorillas return to protected natural habitats, demonstrating what is possible when dedicated conservationists give rescued wildlife a second chance.

While Bili’s future will depend on her continued rehabilitation and individual needs, the possibility of one day living in a protected forest habitat offers an exciting glimpse of what may lie ahead.

A Second Chance Made Possible by Compassion

Bili’s story is a reminder of both the devastating impact of the illegal wildlife trade and the extraordinary difference people can make when they come together to protect animals in need.

Every animal rescued from illegal trafficking has a unique story. For some, the road to recovery is long. For others, finding a suitable home can take years. But each rescue represents an opportunity to change the course of an animal’s life.

At JGI’s Tchimpounga sanctuary, that commitment continues every day through the tireless work of veterinarians and caregivers who help rescued wildlife heal and thrive. Thanks to our compassionate supporters, JGI can continue providing specialized care and a safe haven that animals like Bili deserve.

JGI looks forward to sharing more about Bili as she settles into her new home and continues her rehabilitation. For now, please join us in welcoming Bili to the Tchimpounga family. Your support helps ensure that rescued animals like Bili receive the care they need to recover and thrive. If you’d like to help give more rescued animals a second chance, consider 🔗 making a gift to support JGI’s life-changing work.

Photo Credit: JGI/ Fernando Turmo

The Jane Goodall Institute does not endorse handling or close proximity to wildlife. This represents a sanctuary context with trained professionals.