The Fight to Save Africa’s Baby Chimps

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From rescuing animals abandoned by biomedical research to battling the bushmeat trade, Jenny and Jim Desmond’s mission to save Africa’s baby chimps needs emergency support
Jim and Jenny Desmond of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.

Los Angeles, October 10th, 2024 — In the heart of the West African country of Liberia, a remarkable couple is waging a battle to save baby chimps in desperate need and to protect all chimpanzees remaining in the wild from the vicious bushmeat and illegal pet markets. Jenny and Dr. Jim Desmond, founders of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP), have spent nearly a decade rescuing chimpanzees orphaned by hunters who’ve shot their mothers while plying illegal wildlife trades. What began as a temporary mission to save a group of abandoned chimps has evolved into a lifelong commitment to save our closest relatives. Today, they are urgently calling for help as their sanctuary struggles to keep up with the growing number of rescues. To support the rescue and rehabilitation of Liberia’s chimps, donate today at: https://www.liberiachimpanzeerescue.org/donate.html. This organization stresses that it is a registered 501c3 in the United States and will provide a tax ID upon receipt.

Medical treatment of chimps at LCRP

In 2015, Jenny and Jim were asked to save 66 chimpanzees abandoned on islands after being used in biomedical research. While they originally planned to stay in Liberia for a month, the situation quickly changed. Government authorities began bringing them baby chimps, victims of the bushmeat and wildlife pet trades. For these fragile orphans, there was nowhere else to turn. Today, the Desmonds care for more than 115 chimps, with the number rising as more rescues are made.

During the pandemic, the Desmonds built the first phase of a permanent sanctuary in the forest. They are very eager to embark on phase 2, which would enable the adult chimps to get out of their enclosures and spend time in the forest. However, they can’t even consider that at the moment because they don’t have enough money to cover their operating expenses.

The hit three-part BBC series about the Desmonds’ conservation and rescue work, Baby Chimp Rescue, led to donations that enabled them to operate and complete phase 1. However, because they are in Liberia and do not have a network of supporters abroad, they are not raising the amount of money they need to function, much less expand the sanctuary.

Watch a short video of one of the rescues of a chimp by the LCRP:

Public awareness poster from LCRP

The illegal wildlife trade has devastated chimpanzee populations across West Africa. Liberia, with its rich biodiversity, has become a focal point for the rescue of the victims of this unscrupulous trade. Unfortunately, the more chimps the Desmonds save, the greater the strain on their resources. The sanctuary is now at capacity. To continue their life-saving work, LCRP needs to raise $250,000 by the end of 2024. You can help by donating here.

Dr. Desmond says this in his appeal video: “We’ve rescued over 100 chimpanzees over the past nine years, all of them orphaned by the illegal wildlife trade. And, because we’ve rescued so many chimps, our costs have gone through the roof. We’re literally bursting at the seams. We need to raise money to expand the sanctuary and pay for their care every month. And we can’t do that without you, so please donate today.”

LCRP aerial view

The Desmonds’ work goes far beyond rescuing individual chimps. LCRP collaborates with local communities and law enforcement to combat the illegal wildlife trade and protect Liberia’s rapidly shrinking wild chimp populations. They are also working to expand protected areas, including the Marshall Wetlands, a vital ecosystem where the sanctuary is located.

Phase 2 of the sanctuary’s development, which would allow adult chimps to roam in forest enclosures, remains on hold. Without adequate funding, the Desmonds are forced to focus solely on daily operations, leaving little room for long-term expansion.