Dr James Desmond, Co-Founder, Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection - Zoonotic Disease Surveillance

Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP - https://www.liberiachimpanzeerescue.org/) is the first and only chimpanzee sanctuary and conservation center in Liberia rescuing chimpanzees who are victims of the illegal bush meat and pet trades. The organization has over 40 orphaned chimpanzees, nearly all under the age of five, currently under their care. Dr. James Desmond is the co-founder Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection. He is a wildlife veterinarian and a consultant specializing in emerging disease and the illegal wildlife trade. He graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and a Masters in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Alongside his work with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection, Dr. Desmond leads research on infectious disease, including identifying novel wildlife reservoirs for the Ebola virus. Jenny Desmond is a co-founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection and she leads the team who cares for chimpanzees serving as “mom” to the 40+ orphans, nurturing them and helping them form bonds with the other chimpanzees in the organization’s care to ensure they have fulfilling lives in their sanctuary family, providing love, enrichment, and refuge. James and Jenny were recently the focus of a TV series, Baby Chimp Rescue, which aired on BBC and AMC. IMPORTANT NOTE: *Chimpanzees are not and should not be pets or forced to live with humans.* The chimpanzee orphans at LCRP's sanctuary in West Africa are victims of the bushmeat and illegal pet trade. Their mothers were tragically killed by poachers and require around the clock care. Thanks to the dedicated caregivers and staff, the orphans are being rehabilitated so that they will be able to thrive with others in a natural and safe environment when they’re older. Please support LCRP’s efforts to rescue chimpanzees in need and keep wild chimps wild.