Baby Chimp Was Kept In A Box For Months Where She Clung To An Old Cloth For Comfort

Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue And Protection received an anonymous tip and raided a supply shop in Kakata, Liberia, to find a tiny baby chimp inside of a cardboard box. She was rocking back and forth due to stress and trauma and clinging to an old piece of cloth for comfort.

It was a heartbreaking sight, and they learned the baby had been kept in this box for months. Jenny Desmond, founder of LCRP, figures the chimp’s mother was killed off to be sold on the black market for bushmeat leaving the baby to be kept as a pet. Chance was only one-year-old and had no one to properly care for her. Her owners didn’t seem to care much and put her in a box and left her in the corner.

This lifestyle had token obvious tolls on the baby chimp. The rocking and clinging being clear indicators of stress and a lack of nurturing and attention. Rescuers also noted a vacant look in her eyes as she stared off at nothing in particular.

Chance

After a lengthy search we (LCRP, FDA, LNP) were able to find this little girl hidden in a small shop in the box she's called home for months. Thank you to all for another succesful confiscation. Chance is now back at LCRP sleeping. As you can see, she has some fluid in her head and stereotypical rocking behaviors but overall she is safe – more details to come.UPDATED PICTURE OF CHANCE – HAPPY AND STRONG! VIEW IN COMMENTS. <3

Posted by Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue on Friday, March 30, 2018

Chance was only being fed rice and cornmeal and was severely malnourished and emaciated. She was underdeveloped for her age and appeared to have some sort of fluid build-up in her head that most likely resulted from trauma. Rescuers quickly took Chance from the shop and swapped out her cloth for a nice warm blanket instead.

The baby girl was transported to the LCRP rehabilitation center where the rescue team witnessed an amazing change in behavior and attitude. She became less dependant on the blanket as her need for an outside source of comfort diminished. Chance soon stopped rocking back and forth and started to stand up. She even held out her arms to be held. 🙂

Chance could be seen smiling and laughing as she continued to progress and recover rapidly. It was an incredible thing for the staff to watch her blossom under their care.

Chance will receive around-the-clock care over the next few years with LCRP to help her grow strong and healthy. She’ll slowly be introduced to other chimps for interaction and be integrated into their youngest nursery group. She’ll never again be without chimpanzee family members.

Update on Chance

Thank you SO MUCH for the amazing outpouring of love and support for LCRP's newest orphan Chance. While we are now fairly certain she will need special care (beyond the usual special 24/7 TLC all the babies get) as she seems to have some developmental and physical situations we will address. We have a pediatric specialist coming to meet her today. For now, she is settling in, getting MUCH more relaxed and even playing a bit. She is learning to ask to be picked up and to grasp with her feet as well as her hands – she spent the past months on the ground so doesn't understand normal clinging behavior when held. We will keep posting updates and count on you wonderful followers to keep spreading the word! We are grateful beyond words for the compassion around the world for Chance and all of LCRP's family members and our work! <3 <3 <3

Posted by Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue on Saturday, March 31, 2018

It’s possible Chance could return to the wild someday, but that’s a long and complex process that will need to be looked at and accessed later on. Desmond’s best guess is that the chimp will likely live in a “seminatural spacious forest environment with other chimpanzees for her lifetime.” Either way, Chance looks to have a bright future after such a sad start to life.

If you’d like to help with Chance’s care, you can donate here.

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10 of the Smartest Dogs in the World:

 

A friend of mine has a beautiful Dalmatian. Friendly, energetic and lovable, she was a perfect family pet… but she wasn’t the smartest pooch on the planet. See, she knew how to go through the pet door out into the garden, but she had no clue how to get back inside. It never occurred to her that the flap could swing both ways. So she would sit outside and howl until my friend would open the door.

Repeated demonstrations of the dual movement of the flap had no effect; it just did not compute. The dog breeds on this list, however, probably don’t have that problem. They’re widely considered to be among the cleverest canines in the world. Take a look and see if you agree.

1. German Shepherd

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No surprise here. German Shepherds are the world’s best police dogs, military dogs, and some have even been movie stars (remember Rin Tin Tin?). Brave, loyal, smart and strong, they’re the total package.

2. Beagle

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Also on the list of the best family-friendly dogs in the world, the Beagle has an incredible nose that lets them sniff out just about anything. Born detectives, they’re not the most trainable pets, but they are smart. And hey, nobody ever accused Snoopy of being dumb.

3. Golden Retriever

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A popular choice for assistance dogs for their easy temperament, natural intelligence and loyalty, Golden Retrievers are natural guides and also serve as great rescue dogs. Active and fun to be around, they’re wonderful family pets.

4. Border Collie

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Border Collies are considered by many to be the geniuses of the dog world. Expert herders, laser-focused (they’re known for their intense stare), and incredibly agile to boot, they’re workaholics and excellent athletes. Just don’t expect to keep one cooped up in an apartment.

5. Poodle

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Did you know poodles were originally hunting dogs? They respond very well to training and are quick to learn tricks. So don’t let the fluffy looks and styled mane fool you! These dogs are among the smart canines around. Plus, they’re among the best dogs in the world for those who suffer allergies.

6. Belgian Malinois

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A terrific military dog, the Malinois is a natural herder, tracker and worker. Smart, trainable and protective, these dogs require an owner who knows what he or she is doing. In addition to the military, Malinois are often recruited as guard dogs and police dogs as well.

7. Papillon

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Named for their butterfly-shaped ears, papillons are small, cute and pretty smart. They’re considered the smartest of the toy dog breed, with intelligence levels comparable to the über-smart border collie. They’re alert and focused pets, and loyal and lovable: an ideal friend for he family.

8. Doberman

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Sadly, Dobermans are known more for their ferocity than their smarts, but these are considered among the most intelligent dogs in the world, as well as one of the most effective guard dogs around. They’re outstanding students known to be affectionate and obedient.

9. Bloodhound

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Don’t let the wrinkles and dopey expression fool you! Bloodhounds have the keenest of noses, and are often used for trailing (so much so that their evidence can be used in court against you!). These are loving but strong-willed dogs, and are often used on search and rescue missions.

10. Australian Cattle Dog

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You need a smart, determined and energetic dog to control unruly cows. And that’s just what the Australian Cattle Dog, or ACD, does. They’re intelligent enough to herd these much larger creatures, and while they need their independence and wide open spaces, they’re eager workers who know how to get the job done.

Did we miss your brainy dog on this list? If so, write in and let us know about it!

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