One-Year-Old Chimp
Chance was only one-year-old, and she had been living in a supply shop in Kakata, Liberia, for a few months, as a pet.
Nobody knew how she got there, but cases like this happen frequently. The rescue team believed that the baby's past was heartbreaking...
A Sad Chimp
Jenny Desmond is the founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) and knew how baby chimps become pets.
The story behind every little chimp is gut-wrenching. You won't believe what Desmond said about Chance's chimp family.
No Family
Desmond said that Chance's mother had probably been killed. If not, the chimp wouldn't have been found wandering all by itself.
As she explained, acquiring a baby chimp can only be done after the mother, and other nearby adult family members are murdered. If you found this sad, wait until you hear the rest...
The Black Market
After the baby is taken away from her mother, "The adults are butchered and sold on the black market for bushmeat," said Desmond.
Then the poachers kidnap the baby chimps to sell them as pets both locally and internationally. Chance ended up in a supply shop, but he needed a new family.
All By Himself
Like most similar species, chimpanzees are highly social primates who live in families and groups.
Chance needed a mom to care and nurture her, but the new owners kept their pet inside a cardboard box in the building's corner. Then, Desmond said this...
Life In A Box
The woman said that looking at how dirty she was, Chance had spent most of her time in the box and outside the box, on the concrete and dirt ground at the shop.
She was never even held or picked up! Without a doubt, this poor little creature didn't receive the care and attention she deserved.
Longing For A Hug
Chimps and other primates hug each other all the time, and babies are usually held in their mothers' arms.
But Chance hadn't experienced any of that. As Desmond explained: "She has had to learn how to be picked up and cling to me."
Empty Eyes
Chance had never received the motherly love she needed, and she had spent most of her life in captivity, and as a result of this, her behavior was different.
Her eyes looked empty, and she clung to a piece of clothing, rocking back and forth as if to comfort herself.
A Sign Of Trauma
Desmond explained why Chance was acting like that: "Her rocking and clinging to the cloth are clear indicators of stress, trauma, and a severe lack of attention and nurturing."
According to the vet, chimps with surrogate mothers never display that behavior. What else did Desmond comment on the creature's behavior?
Clinging Babies
According to Desmond, baby chimps receive care from surrogate mothers, and they cling to them to receive comfort.
But the team also feared that Chance's health was not very good. You won't believe what she had been eating!
Poor Diet
Chance was very weak and skinny. She was malnourished and too small for her age because her owners only gave her rice and cornmeal.
Then, when they checked her closely, they were shocked to see she had her head injured. This meant that she would need urgent medical attention...
A Quick Rescue Mission
The rescue team immediately took Chance to a vet clinic so she could receive proper medical aid, as she had a buildup of fluid in her head due to trauma.
They had to give her proper treatment before it was too late. But what happened? Were they able to save the baby's life?
A Warm Blanket
When Chance lived in the cardboard box, she always kept a piece of tattered clothing with her. In fact, she spent most of the time hugging the same worn-out stripe of clothing.
However, when she arrived at her new home, even though she received proper care and food, she just couldn't stand living without her old cloth. Therefore, Desmond gave the baby a warm new blanket, which she happily received and hugged. But then, this happened...
Getting Confident
Desmond said that it's common for baby chimps to carry the same blanket or piece of cloth with them all the time. However, when they receive proper care and nurturing, they gradually begin to leave the mentioned item behind.
This was the case with Chance because once she adapted to her new home, she gradually began to change...
Pick Me Up!
A little while after Chance arrived at the rescue center, she got comfortable, and she even started to ask the staff to pick her up.
She is now a normal little chimp, happy to get all the attention she deserves! Believe it or not, she even smiles!
The Feeling Of Joy
Seeing Chance happy and smiling filled everyone at the rescue with infinite joy. In Desmond's words, "It's been very uplifting seeing this beautiful little girl blossom before our eyes."
Chance even had friends to play with, and many, many toys! Doesn't this picture just break your heart?
Years Of Rehabilitation
It takes several years for chimpanzees to grow into adults, almost like the case of humans. So over the next years, the volunteers at LCRP will need to take care of her and attend to her needs.
She will grow strong, receive food, and above all, love. And then, she will meet other orphaned chimps as well, just like the ones in the picture!
A Gradual Process
Desmond explained that when an abandoned or orphaned chimp is rescued and taken to the refuge, it takes time for him to adapt to the new environment.
Thus, it's important to give them their time and let them choose the level of interaction they wish to establish with other chimps.
Back To The Wild
Desmond also said that returning orphaned chimps to the wild is also a possibility. However, this requires a long and complex process.
In her words, "Reintroduction involves many factors and multiple groups and experts to assess and determine feasibility."
Full Rehabilitation
If Chance cannot be set free into the wild, "she will live in a seminatural spacious forest environment with other chimpanzees for her lifetime," said Desmond.
The important thing is that as long as she remains in the rescue center, she'll be in good hands. We can all agree that Chance has a bright future ahead, and she is now loved, safe, and happy!