Dr. Jane Goodall and her staff prepare to reintroduce a special group of rescued and rehabilitated chimpanzees to the wild.

The release group have medical checkups to ensure they’re fit enough to go back to the wild, the infants attend forest school, and the team is amazed by Amazon's artistic ability. An illegally kept pet monkey is discovered, and Maria attempts to save a baby mandrill who has been violently attacked.

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The sanctuary embarks on an ambitious project to release suitable chimpanzees back to the wild.

Path to Freedom

Tests on the chimpanzee’s survival skills are underway, and so is the search for the perfect release site. While infant George learns how to crack open nuts, Dr. Cat Hobaiter reveals the secrets to chimpanzee gestures, and the sniffer dog team’s new recruit, Carel, succeeds on his first mission.

The release group’s survival skills are tested, and ecoguards rescue illegally trafficked tortoises.

Heroes

A chimpanzee is born on Tchindzoulou Island, but there are serious complications. The release group is assessed on how they react to dangerous snakes, Dr. Cat Hobaiter analyzes Kefan’s unique leadership style, and 91 parrots arrive on short notice as the team rushes to find room to house them.

A chimpanzee is born, but there are complications. Space is made when 91 parrots arrive unexpectedly.

Expect the Unexpected

Recent arrival Aymard meets his surrogate mom, and a very sick infant chimpanzee, John, is rescued and brought to Tchimpounga by plane. Some of the parrots make a bid for freedom, and after assessing the release group’s nest-building skills, Rebeca spends time with her chimpanzee family.

A new infant chimpanzee arrives by plane, and the release group’s nest-building skills are assessed.

Island Life

We meet the other species the staff cares for at Tchimpounga. Chimpanzee intelligence is explored, including Dr. Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work on tool use. The release group’s foraging skills are put to the test, and the team develops new tech to track the chimpanzees in the wild.

The release group’s survival tests continue, and we meet the other animals cared for at Tchimpounga.

All Animals Welcome

In an ambitious rescue mission to Angola, Rebeca brings home the largest number of chimpanzees in 30 years. The sanctuary’s mandrill release program has an unexpected arrival, and as the release group nears the end of its preparation for the wild, a new baby is born.

As eight new orphaned chimpanzees arrive, the release group is ready to go back to the wild.