Valentines Day was also World Bonobo Day. Fitting, as over 300,000 caring people have signed Petitions showing their Love and Concern for Bili. I hope one day, Bili will feel loved, because right now, it sure doesn't seem like he does.
For those following Bili's story, I wanted to post an update. When I last posted, Bili was by all accounts still being forced to stay in the Wuppertal Zoo Bonobo Group full-time, and left victim to the Zoo's "process" of integration, which included repeated attacks. His flesh was ripped open, half his ear ripped off, and other reports of serious injury, without intervention from Zoo staff. Concerns were raised last month via Petition, resulting in public outrage, many news stories, and an offer by Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary (WAMS) to give Bili a forever home. Bili was being brutalized, and most empathetic and compassionate people wanted him removed from the Zoo and placed somewhere safe.
At the time of my last post, WAMS representatives were on their way to Wuppertal, and an agreed meeting with Officials. Entering into a meeting, was assumed that a discussion about possibly releasing him to Sanctuary was an option. When WAMS got there, it was a very different situation. The Zoo made a public statement against WAMS, basically never having any intention of entertaining the idea of releasing him. That was Sunday 2.10.19. Bili remains there today.
This video, taken three days later, Wednesday 2.13.19, shows Bili in a seemingly relaxed state, together with one other Bonobo named Mato, who was reportedly the only one who didn't attack him. They are separated from the group. It is unknown how long they will be separated or how often. The public must rely on Visitor photos and video to assess what's going on. Prior to this, there were no reports of Bili being separated, but instead repeatedly forced to "integrate" into the group, and being brutally attacked every time. I believe this separation, is the result of public outrage, to both the Petitions, letter writing, and media attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQs4JT26_0A
There are still concerns for Bili's safety and long-range stay at Wuppertal. There has been exchanges by many, myself included, with Zoo Officials, and the EAZA. The Zoo, EAZA, and WAZA have all issued statements regarding Bili. They maintain they will never send him to Sanctuary, stating that WAMS (and that would probably mean other Sanctuaries) are not fit to house Bonobos because they have never worked with them, and currently do not house them. I personally don't agree with this mindset, as it would seem to me, that providing a safe place for a Being rather than killing it, or watching it be killed would be the way to go. Silly me! ... They maintain they are confident in their introduction process, which is formed by "Professionals and Experts". Considering by all accounts they have no off exhibit space, there doesn't seem to be much of a space for monitored and barriered introductions. I asked and they have not answered questions regarding what that process is. ... Many have asked, how long they will continue to try to integrate him, and how brutalized does Bili have to get before they intervene? Considering they never intervened when he was having his flesh ripped open before, I think that's a valid question. They have not answered these questions. ... Bili was sent there for breeding, I questioned what will happen to Bili if he doesn't breed? Will he be deemed surplus and killed, as that is a common practice in EAZA Zoos. They didn't answer. ... Wuppertal Zoo Director has stated he would euthanize Bili if he didn't integrate and do the same, before he would send him to Sanctuary. The EAZA stated he would never be euthanized. I asked them to respond to the Director's words, they have not.
For those following Bili's story, I wanted to post an update. When I last posted, Bili was by all accounts still being forced to stay in the Wuppertal Zoo Bonobo Group full-time, and left victim to the Zoo's "process" of integration, which included repeated attacks. His flesh was ripped open, half his ear ripped off, and other reports of serious injury, without intervention from Zoo staff. Concerns were raised last month via Petition, resulting in public outrage, many news stories, and an offer by Wales Ape and Monkey Sanctuary (WAMS) to give Bili a forever home. Bili was being brutalized, and most empathetic and compassionate people wanted him removed from the Zoo and placed somewhere safe.
At the time of my last post, WAMS representatives were on their way to Wuppertal, and an agreed meeting with Officials. Entering into a meeting, was assumed that a discussion about possibly releasing him to Sanctuary was an option. When WAMS got there, it was a very different situation. The Zoo made a public statement against WAMS, basically never having any intention of entertaining the idea of releasing him. That was Sunday 2.10.19. Bili remains there today.
This video, taken three days later, Wednesday 2.13.19, shows Bili in a seemingly relaxed state, together with one other Bonobo named Mato, who was reportedly the only one who didn't attack him. They are separated from the group. It is unknown how long they will be separated or how often. The public must rely on Visitor photos and video to assess what's going on. Prior to this, there were no reports of Bili being separated, but instead repeatedly forced to "integrate" into the group, and being brutally attacked every time. I believe this separation, is the result of public outrage, to both the Petitions, letter writing, and media attention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQs4JT26_0A
There are still concerns for Bili's safety and long-range stay at Wuppertal. There has been exchanges by many, myself included, with Zoo Officials, and the EAZA. The Zoo, EAZA, and WAZA have all issued statements regarding Bili. They maintain they will never send him to Sanctuary, stating that WAMS (and that would probably mean other Sanctuaries) are not fit to house Bonobos because they have never worked with them, and currently do not house them. I personally don't agree with this mindset, as it would seem to me, that providing a safe place for a Being rather than killing it, or watching it be killed would be the way to go. Silly me! ... They maintain they are confident in their introduction process, which is formed by "Professionals and Experts". Considering by all accounts they have no off exhibit space, there doesn't seem to be much of a space for monitored and barriered introductions. I asked and they have not answered questions regarding what that process is. ... Many have asked, how long they will continue to try to integrate him, and how brutalized does Bili have to get before they intervene? Considering they never intervened when he was having his flesh ripped open before, I think that's a valid question. They have not answered these questions. ... Bili was sent there for breeding, I questioned what will happen to Bili if he doesn't breed? Will he be deemed surplus and killed, as that is a common practice in EAZA Zoos. They didn't answer. ... Wuppertal Zoo Director has stated he would euthanize Bili if he didn't integrate and do the same, before he would send him to Sanctuary. The EAZA stated he would never be euthanized. I asked them to respond to the Director's words, they have not.
I'm glad I'm not a Professional working
at Wuppertal Zoo, watching Beings in
my care get their Flesh Ripped Apart.
Anyway, I think letting the Zoo know the World is Watching, is at this point, the only way Bili will stay safe. Anyone interested in contacting Officials on Bili's behalf, you can visit the Facebook Group, Save Bili the Bullied Bonobo at Wuppertal Zoo, for a list of contacts.
Related post:
http://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2019/02/bili-bullied-bonobo-at-wuppertal-zoo.html
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