A group of rescuers from Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection came across a depressing scene one day. They learned about a troubled chimpanzee through an anonymous tip.
When they arrived to the supply store where she was being confined, they saw the smallest baby chimpanzee crouched inside a cardboard box and holding onto a torn article of clothing.
Chance, the one-year-old chimpanzee, had been housed as a pet for a while. The rescuers had a theory, but they had no idea how the “owners” got Chance.
“We know her mother was killed,” Jenny Desmond, founder of LCRP, told The Dodo. “One cannot acquire a baby chimpanzee without first killing his or her mother and other nearby adult family members.”
Chance had no one to properly care for him and provide him the nutrients he need because he was still a newborn when her mother was slain.
Sadly, her new owners just put her in a cardboard box in the corner without seeming to care.
“It seems she spent most of her time in the box, and when outside the box, on the concrete and dirt ground at the shop,” Desmond said. “It does not seem she was picked up or held very often as she has had to learn how to be picked up and cling to me since we rescued her.”
It was clear that the newborn chimp had suffered greatly from being kept in captivity.
Her eyes were reportedly empty, and she was holding to some garments for solace, according to the rescuers.
“Her rocking and clinging to the cloth are clear indicators of stress, trauma and a severe lack of attention and nurturing,” Desmond said.
Chance was terribly underweight and thin since her owners had only been feeding her rice and cornmeal.
She wasn’t only underweight for her age; she also seemed to have some kind of trauma-related fluid buildup in her skull.
Chance was swiftly taken out of the store by the rescuers, who then handed her a cozy blanket to hang onto.
“We give all the little ones blankets at night and they are certainly welcome to carry them anytime,” Desmond said. “It is generally our experience, however, that their need for the blankets as unhealthy sources of comfort disappear rapidly with increased care and proper nurturing.”
The rescue crew was astounded by the newborn girl’s remarkable transformation in attitude and conduct after she arrived at the LCRP rehabilitation facility.
She began to depend less and less on the blanket.
Chance eventually stopped swaying back and forth, began to stand up, and then extended her arms for holding.
“She is progressing and recovering rapidly,” Desmond said. “We have found chimpanzees to be unbelievably resilient.”
Chance has started to smile and laugh, which is one of the most remarkable developments that has made the rescuers’ hearts soar.
Everyone has been ecstatic to see her flourish under their guidance.
With LCRP for the foreseeable future, Chance will provide her with round-the-clock care as she develops physically and emotionally. She will soon meet other young orphaned chimpanzees.
“She will be introduced to other chimpanzees in a safe and slow process, allowing her to choose [the] level of interaction and time with other chimps,” Desmond said.
Although it would be ideal, no one is certain at this time if she will be returned to the wild.
“Returning to the wild, known as reintroduction, is a long and complex process and while we dream of this it is not simple or assured,” Desmond said. “There is hope for chimpanzee reintroduction in Liberia as chimpanzees naturally occur here, and there are still large tracts of forest remaining. Reintroduction involves many factors and multiple groups and experts to assess and determine feasibility.”
Chance will probably spend the remainder of her life in a “seminatural spacious forest environment with other chimpanzees,” according to Desmond.
Several years have passed since Chance was saved, and she is still overjoyed about it. She enjoys spending time playing with her chimpanzee friends, as well as cuddling with her carers. What a darling.