Leila was likely stolen from the wild as a baby, after her mother had been killed for bushmeat. Sold to the park’s owner, she had spent her early years in a cage until she broke free — only to be chained up outside in the open sun.
Her “home” was little more than dirt and shadows. She’d made herself a shallow bed near a tree and used a scrap of fabric to shield herself from the harsh light. On lucky days, she crawled under a wooden table for shade.
And when hunger struck — which it often did — she begged for scraps from park visitors. Her diet? Fried chicken, pasta, fries… even beer and whiskey. For water, she’d resorted to drinking her own urine.
“She was massively underfed,” Grobler said. “And she had a scar from a machete on her head.”
Despite the occasional kindness from passersby, life had been nothing but survival for Leila. Until Grobler saw her — and made a promise.
❤️ A Rescue Mission Fueled by Love
Grobler didn’t plan to stay in Angola. But after seeing Leila, leaving wasn’t an option.
“I’ve always loved animals,” he said. “I couldn’t just walk away.”
He reached out to Dalene Dreyer, a Namibian woman caring for another orphaned chimp named George. She agreed to give Leila temporary shelter — but getting her there would be anything but easy.
Grobler had to:
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Get a confiscation permit
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Secure a passport and rabies vaccine for Leila
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Hire a carpenter to build a transport cage
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Coordinate a driver
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And raise money for it all
Thankfully, Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation stepped in, helping him gather support and funds to make the rescue happen.
While everything came together, Grobler visited Leila daily, bringing her fresh fruit and coconuts. But Leila was cautious.
“She wouldn’t eat anything unless she saw me eat it first,” Grobler said.
“It made me think she’d been poisoned or tricked before.”
🚗 The Road to Freedom
When the day came to finally set her free, Leila was gently sedated and placed in her transport cage. During the long drive, she stayed calm — perhaps sensing something better was waiting on the other side.
Now, Leila lives with Dreyer in Luanda, Angola. She’s safe, well-fed, and slowly learning to trust again. Grobler plans to eventually move her to Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia — and, if all goes well, back into the wild where she belongs.
“She’s very bright,” Grobler said with hope. “I think she’ll make it.”
🤗 The Hug That Said Everything
When it was time for Grobler to leave, something incredible happened.
“I picked her up, and she just put her arms around me,” he said.
“She saw the bags — I think she knew I was going.”
It was a hug filled with gratitude, trust, and something more — the kind of bond that only two survivors can share.
John Grobler made a promise to Leila — to return, and to give her the life she deserves. And it’s clear she’ll be waiting.
