Jasmine

Wild-caught gorillas like Jasmine carry stories we may never fully know. Born somewhere in the forests of Africa, she entered human care through circumstances lost to incomplete records. Her early years remain a mystery, with no documented birth date or details about her capture.

After time at an unknown location, she eventually arrived at Mefou Primate Sanctuary, where she lives today. The sanctuary provides care for primates who cannot return to the wild, often those with complex histories like hers.

As a western lowland gorilla, she belongs to a subspecies facing extinction in the wild. The IUCN lists Gorilla gorilla gorilla as Critically Endangered, with populations under severe pressure from habitat loss and human encroachment across central Africa. Her presence at Mefou represents both the tragedy of the illegal wildlife trade and the dedication of those working to provide lifelong care for its survivors.