Orphan Baby Chimpanzee Rescue
Donation protected
Orphaned Chimpanzee Rescue
Jenny and Jim Desmonds arrived in Liberia in with a big job to do – overseeing the care of the 66 chimpanzees abandoned on six islands by the New York Blood Center. Little did they know that, within weeks of their arrival, the government would be adding to their workload by bringing them orphaned baby chimpanzees who needed sanctuary. Liberia forestry authorities brought them 19 young chimpanzees in need of parents and a home. Unlike the blood center chimps, who were fully grown and living somewhat independently, the majority of these chimps were newly orphaned by poachers who killed their mothers for bush-meat. Like human babies, these chimpanzees need around-the-clock care.
Liberia has an estimated 7,000 wild chimpanzees remaining in its forests. The fact that these great apes are endangered doesn’t stop poachers from illegally hunting them for their meat. The baby chimps, orphaned when their mothers are killed for their meat, are then sold as exotic pets
Before the Desmonds arrived in Liberia, the government turned a blind eye to the illegal chimp trade because authorities had no place to bring chimps who they could have confiscated from their captors or new “owners.” Because the Desmonds have experience rescuing and rehabilitating great apes, authorities began to bring them babies – some just weeks old.
In order to provide adequate care for the orphans, the Desmonds hired a team of caregivers from the local village to serve as their surrogate mothers. But chimpanzee babies grow up quickly, and, by two or three years old, they have to be transitioned into a group of other chimps. In addition, they need far more space — space that they don’t have in the small home they inhabit in a densely populated village two hours outside of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city.
The Desmond’s property in Liberia, which is owned by the government and is adjacent to a busy laboratory, is not ideal for raising orphaned chimps. Jenny and Jim are therefore now tasked with looking for land in a nearby forest to build a proper sanctuary with all of the facilities needed to care for the chimps, including an infirmary, overnight housing for the babies, a kitchen, offices and housing for caregivers and volunteers. The Desmonds have already created an entity, (LCR). Now, they need to raise money in order to build the sanctuary.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue mission is to provide lifelong care for chimpanzees who are victims of Liberia’s bushmeat and live pet trades and help drive dynamic strategies in the fight against chimpanzee trafficking and the conservation of wild populations.
We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care and welfare for chimpanzees who are victims of the bush-meat and pet trades and working with the local and international community to provide social, economic and environmental benefits for all. We also continue our commitment to partnering with all stakeholders in safeguarding the futures of the chimpanzees abandoned by the New York Blood Center.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue is a Liberian entity with diverse and collaborative partnerships designed to care for current chimpanzee residents and to development long term strategies to combat the illegal trade of chimpanzees and other protected wildlife; rescue additional captive chimpanzees: and participate in comprehensive conservation education, awareness and protection efforts.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue is excited to be working with animal welfare, health, and research organizations in Liberia to improve the overall health and well being of animals, both domestic and wild, and the community. Some of LCR s initiatives include World Rabies Day, emerging disease research, vaccination and spay/neuter programs, and participation in the development of wildlife regulations and Conservation Action Planning.
We started a new campaign to help support Liberian Chimpanzee Rescues mission, please help.
We are incredibly grateful for your interest in and support
Jenny and Jim Desmonds arrived in Liberia in with a big job to do – overseeing the care of the 66 chimpanzees abandoned on six islands by the New York Blood Center. Little did they know that, within weeks of their arrival, the government would be adding to their workload by bringing them orphaned baby chimpanzees who needed sanctuary. Liberia forestry authorities brought them 19 young chimpanzees in need of parents and a home. Unlike the blood center chimps, who were fully grown and living somewhat independently, the majority of these chimps were newly orphaned by poachers who killed their mothers for bush-meat. Like human babies, these chimpanzees need around-the-clock care.
Liberia has an estimated 7,000 wild chimpanzees remaining in its forests. The fact that these great apes are endangered doesn’t stop poachers from illegally hunting them for their meat. The baby chimps, orphaned when their mothers are killed for their meat, are then sold as exotic pets
Before the Desmonds arrived in Liberia, the government turned a blind eye to the illegal chimp trade because authorities had no place to bring chimps who they could have confiscated from their captors or new “owners.” Because the Desmonds have experience rescuing and rehabilitating great apes, authorities began to bring them babies – some just weeks old.
In order to provide adequate care for the orphans, the Desmonds hired a team of caregivers from the local village to serve as their surrogate mothers. But chimpanzee babies grow up quickly, and, by two or three years old, they have to be transitioned into a group of other chimps. In addition, they need far more space — space that they don’t have in the small home they inhabit in a densely populated village two hours outside of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city.
The Desmond’s property in Liberia, which is owned by the government and is adjacent to a busy laboratory, is not ideal for raising orphaned chimps. Jenny and Jim are therefore now tasked with looking for land in a nearby forest to build a proper sanctuary with all of the facilities needed to care for the chimps, including an infirmary, overnight housing for the babies, a kitchen, offices and housing for caregivers and volunteers. The Desmonds have already created an entity, (LCR). Now, they need to raise money in order to build the sanctuary.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue mission is to provide lifelong care for chimpanzees who are victims of Liberia’s bushmeat and live pet trades and help drive dynamic strategies in the fight against chimpanzee trafficking and the conservation of wild populations.
We are dedicated to providing the highest standards of care and welfare for chimpanzees who are victims of the bush-meat and pet trades and working with the local and international community to provide social, economic and environmental benefits for all. We also continue our commitment to partnering with all stakeholders in safeguarding the futures of the chimpanzees abandoned by the New York Blood Center.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue is a Liberian entity with diverse and collaborative partnerships designed to care for current chimpanzee residents and to development long term strategies to combat the illegal trade of chimpanzees and other protected wildlife; rescue additional captive chimpanzees: and participate in comprehensive conservation education, awareness and protection efforts.
Liberian Chimpanzee Rescue is excited to be working with animal welfare, health, and research organizations in Liberia to improve the overall health and well being of animals, both domestic and wild, and the community. Some of LCR s initiatives include World Rabies Day, emerging disease research, vaccination and spay/neuter programs, and participation in the development of wildlife regulations and Conservation Action Planning.
We started a new campaign to help support Liberian Chimpanzee Rescues mission, please help.
We are incredibly grateful for your interest in and support
Organizer
Beatriz Lafarja
Organizer
South Gate, CA
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