Sept. 26, 2017 – NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: “This chimpanzee is the last remaining survivor of his colony in the Ivory Coast. 20 apes used to live on “Chimpanzee Island,” but all except Ponso have mysteriously died or disappeared.
“The group was relocated to the island from Liberia in 1983 by a medical testing research laboratory. Since 2015, an association called Les Amis de Ponso (Friends of Ponso) has paid to feed and care for Ponso. Every day Germain Djenemaya Koidja brings food and medicine to Ponso—and much needed company.”
“Over the past two decades ape populations have fallen 90% in the country. They face threats from poaching and habitat loss. Ivory Coast officials are trying to determine wether they should bring Ponso to a sanctuary, or bring a companion to the island.”