Research Chimpanzees Abandoned In Liberia Left To Fend For Themselves, Humane Society Hopes To Help

Nearly 200 chimpanzees were abandoned 10 years ago after being subjected to years of blood research, specifically for hepatitis. The chimps were used for research at the New York Blood Center for Hepatitis and became dependent upon the humans that cared for them during the research. After the research ended, the chimpanzees were not donated to zoos or other hospitable organizations that could guarantee them a happy and healthy retirement. Instead, all 200 of the test chimpanzees were abandoned on an island in Liberia.

A recent post on the New York Times reported that the New York Blood Center has withdrawn all funding that was used to support the chimpanzees, which equated to approximately $30,000 per month, and is leaving the chimps in the hands of the Liberian government to care for. Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, was appalled by the heartless decision and committed to assisting the Liberian government in the chimpanzees’ care.

“The New York Blood Center is abandoning 66 chimpanzees and leaving their fate to chance,”

Of the 200 chimpanzees, only 66 remain alive. The island that they have been abandoned on does not contain a natural source of fresh water, and food is scarce. Their survival is dependent on the assistance of their human counterparts. A petition was created to force the New York Blood Center to continue caring for the chimpanzees, according to Metro U.K.

“NYBC made a commitment to these chimpanzees, and cannot be allowed to simply walk away and leave them to perish. Please contact NYBC President and CEO Christopher Hillyer and tell him to reinstate funding for these chimpanzees immediately!”

Despite their abandonment, the chimpanzees are being fed on a daily basis. Many individuals that worked for the New York Blood Center have made it their responsibility to help out the poor chimpanzees. However, their intervention is feared to not be enough.

Many of the chimpanzees are infected with hepatitis due to the research they were involved in. They were rather well cared for when they were in captivity, stated anthropologist and primatologist Dr. Brian Hare. However, they were not prepared with adequate survival instincts to live outside of captivity without human intervention. Hare started another petition to force the New York Blood Center to step back into their lives.

“They are completely reliant on humans for survival, but despite previously committing to the lifetime care of these chimpanzees, NYBC recently withdrew all funding for the care of the chimpanzees in March. Effectively they have left these poor chimpanzees to suffer from dehydration and starvation.”

Dr. Jane Goodall has also stepped in to plead with the New York Blood Center to have a change of heart and help the chimps.

[Photo Courtesy Ian Waldie / Getty Images News]