On 29 September 2015 I said goodbye to Djala, or should I say Djala’s image.
Described as a magnificent wild-born, western lowland silverback gorilla, (and my goodness is he handsome), Djala now in his mid 30’s, was rescued from abuse as an infant after his parents were killed for bush-meat. A French woman living in Brazzaville, Congo took care of him in her home. She realised early on that she would not be able to give him the proper care and knowing his future wouldn’t be good if he stayed in Brazzaville she turned to The Aspinall Foundation for help. Now weighing in at 400lb Djala has been the lead male of his own family group for over 20 years and has so far successfully fathered 21 children.
Tim Flach’s photographic print we mounted and framed.
Djala’s journey to sanctuary began in the early 1980’s when he arrived at Howletts Wild Animal Park, and was later settled at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. Ultimately Djala was prepared for an epic journey back to Gabon and two years ago through the amazing work of the world leading conservation charity The Aspinall Foundation’s Back to the Wild Campaign Djala took his first steps back to freedom; a bitter/sweet result for Phil Ridges who has been his long term keeper at Howletts and Port Lympne.
This was a ground breaking journey, because never before had a conservation organisation ever attempted the release of an entire family group back to the wild. Djala and his family (born in captivity) arrived back to settle in a one million acre reserve the Batéké Plateau, Gabon, the flagship project of The Foundation. To help with the transition, Phil worked with a team acclimatising the gorillas to their new life, where Djala continues to thrive on an island within the reserve. This has helped Djala break his psychological problems and habit of plucking his arms which was no doubt caused by his dislike of most people.
Studies have found that animals in captivity endure stress which is why Damian Aspinall, believes that all animals belong in the wild.
“If we can protect animals in the wild properly, then there’s no need for zoos. That’s got to be the ultimate aim. But that’s a 30-year dream.”
The Aspinall Foundation has released 26 gorillas in Gabon and 25 in Congo since 1996, conservation and education continues to be a huge part of its ongoing work.
So what you might ask was my involvement with Djala? Well, in comparison to the amazing work described very little, except to say that I had the privilege to be asked by Port Lympne Wild Animal Park to frame the most beautiful photograph of Djala. On first glance a black and white photograph, but then you spot those amazing soulful deep amber eyes. Djala’s devoted keeper Phil has worked with The Foundation for more than 25 years, and the print is its gift to him. I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when the presentation was made to Phil. Thanks to “Google” and The Foundation’s belief in supporting local businesses Amy Coleman of Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, and Jennifer Lewis of The Aspinall Foundation visited me, we discussed presentation options and I had the joy of framing this stunning image by internationally respected animal photographer Tim Flach.
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