In Memory of Rajiv Ruparelia: Baby Chimpanzee Named “RR” at Emotional Ngamba Island Ceremony
NGAMBA ISLAND, UGANDA – June 20, 2026 – In a deeply moving tribute that melded personal remembrance with frontline conservation action, the Chimpanzee Trust yesterday hosted a special naming ceremony at the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, where a baby chimpanzee was officially named “RR” and adopted in honour of the late Rajiv Ruparelia. The event, held against the tranquil backdrop of Lake Victoria’s forested island refuge, was both a celebration of a young life saved and a powerful reaffirmation of the partnerships needed to protect Uganda’s endangered great apes.
Dr. Sudhir Ruparelia, patriarch of the Ruparelia family and founder of the Ruparelia Foundation, personally attended the ceremony and announced a contribution of UGX 50 million towards the ongoing chimpanzee conservation and rehabilitation work at Ngamba Island. The generous donation, channeled through the Foundation, will directly support the lifelong care of the sanctuary’s 53 resident chimpanzees—each rescued from poaching, illegal pet trade, or habitat destruction—and bolster the Trust’s broader community education and field conservation programmes.
Standing before a small gathering of conservationists, sanctuary caregivers, and family members, Dr. Ruparelia spoke of the profound connection between the naming and his son’s enduring legacy.
“Naming this chimpanzee in Rajiv’s memory is a way of extending his spirit of kindness, care, and generosity to a noble cause into the future,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “His name will live on in the conservation world, a symbol of compassion that transcends species and generations. Just as we nurture this young chimpanzee, Rajiv nurtured those around him—with a boundless heart.”
The infant chimpanzee, now affectionately known as “RR,” becomes the newest member of the Ngamba Island community, a sprawling 100-acre sanctuary that offers a semi-wild environment for chimpanzees unable to return to the wild. His adoption under the name RR ensures that the memory of Rajiv Ruparelia will be forever linked with the daily rhythms of the island: the morning feeding calls, the swinging through fig trees, and the quiet work of healers who tend to both the physical and psychological wounds of rescued apes.
Dr. Joshua Rukundo, Executive Director of the Chimpanzee Trust, underscored the far-reaching significance of such ceremonies. “These naming events are far more than symbolic gestures,” he explained.
“They spotlight the entire conservation journey—the dangerous rescue operations, the meticulous rehabilitation, and the unwavering commitment to lifelong care. Each named chimpanzee carries a story that educates the public, inspires empathy, and builds a constituency of support that is critical for the survival of the species. The adoption of RR today, powered by the Ruparelia Foundation’s generosity, is a beacon of what sustained partnerships can achieve.”
The ceremony took place against a sobering global backdrop: chimpanzees are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with populations in Uganda and across East Africa facing escalating threats from deforestation, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, established in 1998, is a vital haven and an internationally recognized model for welfare-centred conservation. It depends heavily on donor support, with chimpanzee naming and adoption programmes serving as a cornerstone of its fundraising and awareness efforts.
Yesterday’s event powerfully demonstrated how private philanthropy can drive public good. The Ruparelia Foundation, already known for its impactful work in health, education, and community development, has now woven itself into the fabric of Uganda’s wildlife conservation narrative. Dr. Ruparelia’s pledge of continued support sends a clear message: protecting biodiversity is a shared responsibility that thrives on long-term commitment, not one-off gestures.
Moments like these, the Chimpanzee Trust noted, highlight the importance of nurturing relationships between the private sector, conservation organizations, and the general public. They transform passive observers into active stakeholders, whether through financial contributions, volunteerism, or simply spreading awareness. The naming of RR arrives at a time when Uganda’s conservation community is rallying to expand protection for chimpanzee corridors outside protected areas, and every partnership accelerates that momentum.
As the afternoon sun lit the calm waters around the island, caregivers placed fresh fruit near the juvenile enclosure and called out “RR” for the first time. The young chimpanzee, oblivious to the weight of the name he now carries, climbed onto a low branch and glanced toward the visitors. For those present, it was a living promise—that kindness, once set in motion, can ripple outward in ways no one can predict.
The Chimpanzee Trust invites the public to become part of the conservation community striving to conserve and protect the chimpanzee community by naming a chimpanzee. Every name tells a story, and every adoption fuels the sanctuary’s mission.
