According to CNN (CNN) on September 23, the kidnapper asked for ransom from an animal reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo after abducting three young chimpanzees.
1 One of the chimpanzees kidnapped (Photo source: CNN)
reported that Frank Shantero is the founder of the reserve where the kidnap of chimpanzees occurred. He told CNN on the 23rd: "This is the first incident in the world where the orangutan cub was kidnapped and ransomed."
It is reported that this reserve is located in , the capital of Katanga Province, Lubumbashi , which specifically houses wild animal cubs seized by the province. The reserve is close to the border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Zambia and is on an important route from the Democratic Republic of Congo to South Africa. Through this route, orangutans are smuggled around the world.
Chantero said that the kidnapper broke into the reserve at around 3 a.m. local time on the 9th and took away three of the five chimpanzee cubs he rescued so far this year. They were named Cesar, Hussein and Monga. He later found two other cubs hiding in the kitchen.
Video sent by the kidnapper (Picture source: CNN)
reported that one hour after the intrusion incident, Chantero's wife received three messages from the kidnappers, as well as a video about the kidnappers.
Shantero said: "They told us that they had planned to kidnap my children because they were coming here for vacation. However, because the children did not come, the kidnappers took the three chimpanzee cubs as 'hostage' and asked us to pay a huge ransom."
The kidnapper threatened that if Shantero did not pay the ransom, he would hurt the chimpanzees.
Chantero said: "Obviously, it is impossible for us to pay the ransom. Not only because we don't have this money, you also need to understand that if they are led by their nose, they may re-use the same trick within two months, and even if they pay the ransom, we are not sure that they will return these cubs to us."
Chantero is also worried that this incident will set a precedent for more kidnapping activities. He said: "There are 23 similar protected areas throughout the continent. If we pay the ransom, it will set a precedent and inspire others, so we must be cautious."
Media advisor to the Democratic Republic of Congo's environment minister Michel Koakpa told CNN on the 23rd that authorities are still investigating and trying to identify the kidnappers, hoping to find them in the next few days or weeks.
He also said that this is "the first such kidnapping in the history of the Congo (DRC).
Source: Reference Message
