Liberia Sanctuary Marks 11 Years Caring for Lab Chimps

After enduring decades of invasive experiments in barren laboratory cages, 66 chimpanzees are now grooming each other, building nests in trees, and living in bonded family groups on peaceful river islands in Liberia.

Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge Liberia just celebrated 11 years of caring for these special primates. Most were stolen from the wild as infants or born in captivity at a nearby research facility, where they suffered hundreds of liver biopsies and repeated anesthesia.

When the laboratory ended its experiments in 2015, it relocated the chimps to islands in the Farmington and Grand Bassa rivers but withdrew funding for their care. Staff members stayed behind to feed them, and Humane World for Animals answered their emergency plea, pledging to care for these survivors for life.

Today, caregivers travel 50 kilometers by boat twice daily to provide food, veterinary care, and security checks. The team is building new medical structures on each island so aging chimps can receive treatment for arthritis and other health issues while remaining as undisturbed as possible.

Managing director Liliana Pacheco Ricote says watching the chimps flourish makes the hard work worthwhile. "While we can never replace their lives in the wild, what we strive to do every day is provide them with a life as close to a wild existence as possible," she explains.

The Ripple Effect

The sanctuary's impact extends far beyond the islands. SCCRL partners with more than 63 local communities, purchasing fruit and vegetables from a women's cooperative, running education programs for children and adults, and hosting a weekly radio show about wildlife protection.

The organization has invested in community infrastructure including water pumps and schools. Local residents now join construction teams building the new veterinary facilities, creating jobs while supporting conservation.

Program director Jallah Fahnbulleh says community cooperation makes the mission possible. "Seeing the chimps build nests in trees, groom each other and flourish in the companionship of their bonded groups is a daily privilege," he shares.

Plans are underway for an educational visitor program partnering with the Liberian National Tourism Association. These chimps have known the worst of humanity, but thanks to dedicated caregivers and supportive neighbors, they're experiencing the best too.