Ugandan business magnate Sudhir Ruparelia has honored his late son, Rajiv Ruparelia, by naming a seven-month-old chimpanzee after him. This gesture reflects Rajiv’s passion for wildlife and conservation.
On June 20, 2026, Ruparelia and his family traveled to Ngamba Island, where they named and formally adopted the young chimp, now known as “RR.” During the naming ceremony, the family also donated 50 million Ugandan Shillings to support the chimpanzee’s welfare and the sanctuary’s broader conservation efforts.
The baby chimp was born on November 29, 2025, to a female chimpanzee named Africa, who had been rescued from traffickers in western Uganda years earlier. Interestingly, this birth was unplanned. Innocent Ampeire, the head animal keeper and assistant manager at Ngamba, explained that the sanctuary does not permit breeding due to its already overcrowded capacity for chimpanzees.
RR’s arrival was the result of a failed contraceptive implant, just before the sanctuary was set to implement a more reliable surgical method to prevent future pregnancies and adhere to its no-breeding policy.
Dr. Joshua Rukundo, executive director of Chimpanzee Trust and veterinary superintendent at Ngamba, stated that the shift to surgical contraception is part of a comprehensive effort to manage the sanctuary’s population responsibly, ensuring there is room for future rescues, even as Uganda’s chimpanzees remain a significant draw for tourism.
The tradition of naming chimpanzees dates back to primatologist Jane Goodall, who pioneered this practice during her groundbreaking research at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in the 1960s.
James Byamukama, the country director of the Jane Goodall Institute in Uganda, noted that scientists once dismissed this practice as “unscientific,” to the extent that Goodall was initially denied a PhD for her work. However, her research ultimately demonstrated that animals possess distinct personalities, emotions, and complex social bonds, reshaping how the scientific community perceives animal behavior.
Dorothy Basemera, communications and marketing officer at Chimpanzee Trust, mentioned that naming ceremonies typically involve financial contributions to support the orphaned chimps at the sanctuary. In this case, however, the monetary aspect was secondary. “For Rajiv’s case, it was a symbolic gesture because the Sudhir family has always supported our conservation efforts and the welfare of the chimps at Ngamba Island,” she stated. “Nonetheless, they still chose to contribute financially towards the well-being of the newly named chimp.”
For Sudhir, the naming carries profound personal significance. “Today, as we name this chimpanzee in honor of Rajiv, we are reminded of a young man who loved animals, nature, and wildlife,” he said. “Rajiv strongly believed that those of us who have been blessed with opportunities also have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable whether they are people, communities, or any part of God’s creation.”
He recalled how meaningful it was for Rajiv when a young rhino at Ziwa Sanctuary was named Rae Ruparelia, after Rajiv’s own daughter. “For Rajiv, that was a statement of love, continuity, responsibility, and hope,” Sudhir said. “By naming this chimpanzee in his honor, we are not only remembering Rajiv but also extending his spirit of care, kindness, generosity, and responsibility into the future. May this chimpanzee grow strong, safe, and protected.”
The Ruparelia family’s connection to Ngamba Island runs deep. Nine years ago, they adopted another chimpanzee, aptly named Ruparelia. During the ceremony, Sudhir was joined by his wife, Jyotsna, and their daughters, Meera and Sheena.
RR now joins a growing list of chimpanzees born at the sanctuary, including Surprise, the first ever to be born there, along with Easy, Ruparelia, Tam Tam, Bolly, Themba, and Silver. Another chimp at the sanctuary is still awaiting a name.