Retired Lab Chimpanzees Get Full Health Assessments in Liberia
Chimpanzees retired from research labs undergo health checks at a Liberian sanctuary, assessing their long-term wellbeing.
A group of chimpanzees, formerly used in research laboratories, recently underwent comprehensive health checkups at a rehabilitation center in Liberia. The animals are now living out their retirement at the Second Chance Chimpanzee Refuge Liberia, a sanctuary operated by Humane World for Animals.
The examinations, conducted by the sanctuary's veterinary team along with specialist experts, provided the chimpanzees with thorough medical assessments. These 'head-to-toe' checkups are designed to evaluate long-term health, detect early signs of disease, and create tailored care plans for the animals as they age.
Liliana Pacheco Ricote, Director at the refuge, explained that the process involved blood and fecal testing, ultrasounds, and checks on joint mobility to ensure everything was functioning properly, both muscularly and with the bones.
The chimpanzees receiving these health checks are among dozens residing at the sanctuary, which is situated on a series of mangrove forest-covered islands. Here, the animals roam freely and live in social groups that closely mimic the conditions of chimpanzees in the wild.
Many of the chimpanzees at Second Chance were captured from the wild as infants before being subjected to decades of invasive and distressing experiments in laboratories. As a result of their ordeal, many have complex medical histories and require preventative healthcare as they grow older.
Ricote noted that the chimpanzees in their care belong to the West African subspecies, which the IUCN Red List classifies as critically endangered due to rapidly declining numbers. She emphasized the unique nature of these animals, stating that they possess distinct personalities and that looking into their eyes reveals a profound connection between humans and chimpanzees.