Discarded research chimps left in limbo

Eleven chimpanzees rushed out from the Liberian bush and descended from trees to the shore, making jubilant sounds to greet the speedboat bringing food. Samantha, the oldest of the group in her mid-40s, along with Mabel, Bullet and the others, eagerly welcomed their daily delivery of pumpkins, rice, plantains and papaya.

These chimpanzees are among 66 that were used for long-term research. The New York Blood Center tested the chimps for hepatitis B and other diseases in Liberia in the 1970s, ending its research about a decade ago.

In March, the center stopped payments to care for the animals, according to the Washington-based Humane Society, which is now helping to support the chimps and seeking a long-term solution.

After years in captivity, the chimpanzees are dependent on human care. They live in six mangrove outcroppings that make up Chimpanzee Island, about 31 miles southeast of Liberia's capital, Monrovia.

The New York Blood Center “walked away from their responsibility,” said

Dr. Fatorma Bolay, director of the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research. “We are doing our best.”

On its website, the New York Blood Center said the animals are owned by Liberia's government and the center's support of the research chimpanzees was voluntary.

“Eventually, we had no choice but to inform the Liberians that we could no longer provide this charitable support and provided advance notice to ensure a smooth transition,” the center said.

But the funding pullout created a huge support gap for the staff and the chimpanzees, said John Abayomi Zeonyuway, a volunteer and co-director of the Liberian Institute. The notification also came during the largest-ever Ebola outbreak.

The mangrove islands are lush and green, but there is little food for the chimps. Surrounded by brackish, salty water, they are dependent upon fresh-water reservoirs that the caretakers fill regularly. Taking care of the animals costs $25,000 to $30,000 a month, Zeonyuway said, and the cash-strapped Liberian government has shown little interest in their care.

The Humane Society has raised about $160,000 through crowdfunding site GoFundMe, said Kathleen Conlee, vice president of animal research at the Humane Society.

“New York Blood Center must reinstate some level of funding and we are going to continue to pressure them until they do,” Conlee said. “They were the ones who captured chimpanzees from the wild and created this horrible situation.”