September 5, 2006. A day on the calendar for some. A day of eternal grief for JACK Primate Sanctuary.

In April 2006, Franck and Roxane began rescuing baby chimpanzees from the illegal wildlife trade in their city, Lumbumbashi. At the time, the city was a huge trading hub for trafficked wildlife. By September 2006, Franck and Roxane had rescued a total of 5 baby chimpanzees: Jak, Touzo, Chita, Bachi, and Shasa.                         

Unfortunately, their rescue work made them targets.

On the night of September 5, 2006 an unknown arsonist set fire to the room where Jak, Touzo, Chita, Bachi, and Shasa slept comfortably in their nests. Chita, Bachi, and Shasa were able to escape the flames without physical harm. In a desperate attempt for survival, Touzo ran through the flames to safety. Jak perished in the blaze.

Touzo’s entire little body was covered in third degree burns. His skin began to peel, he lost an eye, his ear detached from his body, and all of his leg muscles were completely destroyed. Despite Franck and Roxane’s efforts, Touzo succumbed to his wounds and left this world to join his best friend in death.

Franck and Roxane were left with a decision…give into the intimidation and abandon their mission to end wildlife trafficking in Lumbumbashi or continue to fight.

One month after the fire, Franck and Roxane decided to make JACK Primate Sanctuary official. For the past 19 years, they have continued their fight against wildlife trafficking and have saved hundreds of lives. They and their partners have effectively ended the illegal trade of chimpanzees on the streets of Lumbumbashi, the second largest city in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Today, they continue their mission in other parts of the country, forever holding JACK and Touzo in their hearts.