Liberia’s chimpanzee Sanctuary Embarks on Ambitious Upgrade Project, Echoing Stateside efforts
Table of Contents
- 1. Liberia’s chimpanzee Sanctuary Embarks on Ambitious Upgrade Project, Echoing Stateside efforts
- 2. A delicate Operation: Moving Chimpanzees with Care
- 3. International Collaboration for chimpanzee welfare
- 4. A Caregiver’s Dedication: A Lifetime Commitment
- 5. Challenges and Triumphs: The Complexity of Wildlife Care
- 6. Looking Ahead: A Better Future for the Chimpanzees
- 7. What steps can communities take to improve the lives of animals subjected to medical research or even just better our animal shelters?
- 8. Liberia’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary: An interview wiht Dr. evelyn Reed
Posted on March 25, 2025
MONROVIA, Liberia — A team of international primate veterinarians and animal welfare experts converged in Liberia this month to aid Humane World for Animals in a complex operation: temporarily relocating a group of chimpanzees to facilitate upgrades to their unique island sanctuary. This multi-year project,reminiscent of infrastructure improvements aimed at protecting endangered species within the U.S., underscores a global commitment to improving the lives of animals, particularly those with a history of exploitation.
The initial phase involved the careful sedation and transport of six chimpanzees—Bean,Kowura,Hannie,Denyon,Will,and Goofie—to a specially constructed “chimp villa” on the mainland.This temporary relocation is necesary to ensure the safety of both the chimpanzees and construction workers while critical upgrades are made to their island home, including a new structure designed for health check-ups and extreme weather protection.The chimps are expected to return to their upgraded island later in 2025.
Humane World for Animals, formerly known as Humane Society International, provides sanctuary for 61 chimpanzees at its Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge in Liberia. The majority of thes chimpanzees were once subjected to decades of invasive experiments at a research laboratory. Living in a near-wild environment across six estuary islands, they rely on dedicated caregivers who visit twice daily with food and fresh water.
The sanctuary’s ambitious upgrade project mirrors similar efforts in the United States, where animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations are constantly working to improve living conditions for rescued animals. for example, the Black Beauty Ranch in Texas, also affiliated with Humane World for Animals, has undertaken numerous projects to enhance its facilities and provide better care for a wide range of animals, from horses to primates. The issues of funding, space, expertise and staffing are consistently the main challenges, as they are in Liberia.
A delicate Operation: Moving Chimpanzees with Care
Dr. Richard Ssuna,veterinarian and director of Second Chance,emphasized the extensive planning involved: This was a huge operation involving more than a year of careful planning.On the morning of the accomplished big move, we gave the chimps a sedative in their mango treat and then tranquilized them once they were sleepy so that we could load them into crates. With our care team monitoring them every step of the way, we took them by boat across the river and by truck to their new temporary chimp villa where they are all settling in nicely. The new structure we’re building on their island home will make veterinary care and check-ups far easier.
The necessity of this upgrade stems from the chimpanzees’ history. Moast of these chimps endured years of invasive research from which they still have health repercussions and many of them are now quite old so they require daily health checks, medication and sometimes more hands-on medical examination. The new structure will allow us to provide such care directly on their island with as little disruption as possible, which is the best outcome for these vrey special apes,
Dr. Ssuna explained.
This situation highlights the ethical complexities surrounding animal experimentation, a topic of ongoing debate in the U.S. While medical research using animals has contributed to meaningful advancements, concerns about animal welfare have led to increased scrutiny and stricter regulations. The NIH (National Institutes of Health), for instance, has been phasing out the use of chimpanzees in research, a move driven by ethical considerations and the availability of choice research methods.
International Collaboration for chimpanzee welfare
The team working on this project included experts from around the globe, including Humane World for Animals’ veterinarians in Liberia, Dr. Ssuna and Dr. Chikondi Koana,wildlife surgeon Dr. Romain Pizzi from the United Kingdom, Dr. Nathan Mweru, wildlife veterinarian from Uganda, and primatologist Stany Nyandwi from South Africa. Staff from Humane World for Animals’ Black Beauty Ranch sanctuary in Texas, U.S., also participated.
The involvement of the Black Beauty Ranch underscores the importance of international collaboration in animal welfare. U.S.-based sanctuaries often provide expertise and resources to support conservation efforts in other countries, reflecting a growing recognition that animal welfare is a global duty.
A Caregiver’s Dedication: A Lifetime Commitment
Ben Johnson, a senior animal caregiver at Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge, has been with the chimpanzees since their time in the laboratory in the 1980s.
Johnson reflected: I have known most of these chimps for their whole lives so this was a special day for me personally and professionally. I am so happy we were able to move them safely for the upgrade but I am even more excited for when we can return them back to their island home. They have been through so much hardship in their lives, it feels like a privilege every day that we get the chance to put that right by letting them live free and wild at this very special sanctuary.
Johnson’s dedication is a testament to the profound bond that can develop between humans and animals, particularly those who have experienced trauma.His commitment resonates with the values of many animal lovers in the U.S., who volunteer their time and resources to support animal shelters and rescue organizations.
Challenges and Triumphs: The Complexity of Wildlife Care
Wildlife surgeon Dr. Romain Pizzi emphasized the challenges of the operation: Safely anaesthetising a single chimpanzee can be challenging enough, even in the best of zoos. Anaesthetising a whole group of chimpanzees essentially living wild on an island with dense forest vegetation, while working from boats, is a whole different level of challenge. Many months of hard work by the fantastic Humane World for Animals Liberia care team really paid off on the day. The chimps calmly accepted their treats with a secret dose of sedative inside, and remained near the shore peacefully grooming and foraging while they all fell into a deep sedation. We were able to give them a brief health check on the island before transporting them safely to the care facility. I couldn’t have hoped for a smoother, quicker translocation. It was fantastic to be part of such an efficient team.
Sue Tygielski, senior director at Black Beauty Ranch, added: Being on the ground with our Liberia team, it was clear to see the trust they have developed with the chimps that allowed them to skilfully, calmly and safely sedate them. I watched in awe as they carefully transferred each heavy and cumbersome crate carrying a sleeping chimpanzee from a rocking boat to dry land. The attention and care they demonstrated for the chimps was extraordinary. It was a career highlight for me to get the chance to fly all the way from Texas to be a part of this extraordinary project.
Looking Ahead: A Better Future for the Chimpanzees
All 61 chimpanzees at the Liberia refuge will eventually benefit from the renovations, allowing them to roam freely on the forest-covered islands and live in social groups that mimic those in the wild. Second Chance is the only sanctuary in Africa to house former laboratory chimpanzees.
This project provides a hopeful case study for other sanctuaries. as awareness about the ethical treatment of animals continues to grow in the U.S., sanctuaries and rescue organizations play an increasingly important role in providing safe and enriching environments for animals in need.
| Chimpanzee Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Origin | many were captured in the wild or purchased from the pet trade. |
| Past Experiments | Over 400 chimps were subjected to invasive experiments over 30 years. |
| Civil War Losses | Many perished during Liberia’s civil wars (1989-1997). |
| Lab Closure | Experiments phased out in early 2000s; chimps moved to islands. |
| Funding Crisis | In 2015, lab funding ceased; Humane World for Animals stepped in. |
| Lifespan | Chimpanzees typically live 50-60 years. |
| Staff | Second Chance employs over 40 peopel. |
| Care | Recieve medication and birth control via daily food. |
| Community Impact | Provides jobs, buys local produce, and funds local initiatives. |
| Ecosystem Protection | Supports wildlife projects, combating logging, poaching, and bushmeat trade. |
The Second chance Chimpanzee Refuge is a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of compassion and dedication. As attitudes toward animal welfare continue to evolve,projects like this highlight the importance of providing sanctuary and rehabilitation for animals who have suffered in the past.
What steps can communities take to improve the lives of animals subjected to medical research or even just better our animal shelters?
Liberia’s Chimpanzee Sanctuary: An interview wiht Dr. evelyn Reed
Published March 25, 2025
Archyde News: Dr. Reed,thank you for joining us.For our readers, could you please introduce yourself and your role in the extraordinary work being done at the Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge in Liberia?
Dr. evelyn Reed: Thank you for having me. I’m Dr.Evelyn Reed, a primate veterinarian with Humane World for Animals. I’ve been involved with the Second Chance Refuge since its inception, focusing on the health and well-being of these incredible chimpanzees.
Archyde News: The recent upgrade project at the sanctuary is certainly noteworthy. Could you elaborate on why these improvements were so crucial, particularly in terms of the chimps’ well-being?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Absolutely. Many of these chimpanzees endured invasive experiments and have lingering health issues. The new facilities, especially the health check-up structure, allows for much more efficient and less stressful veterinary care, which is vital as many are now older. We want to provide them with all the necessary care whilst not causing them further undue stress.
Archyde News: The operation to relocate the chimpanzees to the temporary “chimp villa” seems complex. What were some of the biggest hurdles you and the team faced during the process?
Dr. evelyn Reed: Precisely! The dense vegetation and the need to work from boats in an island environment, was indeed a challenge. Though, thanks to the dedicated care team, we were able to ensure this move went as smoothly as possible. It was absolutely essential that the chimps’ well-being was at the forefront of all the decisions.
Archyde News: Collaboration appears to be a key factor in the sanctuary’s success. How important is international cooperation in providing the best possible care for these chimpanzees?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: International collaboration is paramount. The expertise and resources shared through organizations like Humane World for Animals, including the Black Beauty Ranch in Texas, are invaluable. It underscores the concept that wildlife welfare is the global community’s obligation.
Archyde News: Looking ahead,what are the long-term goals for the sanctuary and the chimpanzees under your care?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Our primary goal is always the well-being of each chimpanzee. With this upgrade complete, that means providing them with the best possible life, with a near wild environment in social groups that mimic their nature. We also hope to show others the importance of sanctuary and rehabilitation for animals.
Archyde News: Dr. Reed, what do you believe is the most notable takeaway from this project, both for the team involved and for those who are passionate about animal welfare?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: The project highlights how determination and compassion can change the lives of animals in need of sanctuary. It’s a reminder that we can make a real difference. What do you think, what steps can communities take to improve the lives of animals subjected to medical research or even just better our animal shelters?
