ChangeMakers Jenny Desmond – The Sanctuary for Chimpanzee Rescue

Jenny Desmond, a passionate conservationist, shares her journey from a sales and marketing career to running a chimpanzee rescue sanctuary in Liberia. She discusses the challenges of the bushmeat and pet trades, the emotional impact of rescuing traumatized chimpanzees, and the importance of collaboration with local authorities. Jenny emphasizes the shared health risks between humans and chimps, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and highlights the complexity of chimpanzee communication. Her story is one of dedication, resilience, and the power of diverse skills in conservation efforts.

What inspired Jenny Desmond to dedicate her life to animal welfare?

• Her first pet dog

• Her parents' influence

• Her childhood love for animals

• A documentary she watched

What was Jenny's initial career before she moved into wildlife conservation?

• Sales and marketing

• Environmental science

• Biology

• Veterinary science

Where did Jenny and Jimmy volunteer that led to their epiphany about working with wildlife?

• Liberia

• Setblock Rangitane Rehabilitation Centre

• A local zoo

• New York Blood Center

What is Jenny's stance on the use of primates in medical research?

• She is indifferent about it

• She believes it's necessary for scientific progress

• She supports it for human benefit

• She opposes it due to ethical concerns

How do the pet and bushmeat trades intersect in West Africa?

• They are completely separate

• Both involve the sale of adult chimpanzees

• Killing adults for bushmeat leads to selling babies as pets

• They only affect other primates, not chimpanzees

What kind of psychological condition is commonly seen in rescued chimpanzees?

• Bipolar disorder

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Anxiety disorder

• Schizophrenia

How did Johnny, the chimpanzee, demonstrate resilience after being rescued?

• He became aggressive

• He remained isolated

• He became kind and gentle

• He refused to interact with others

What is a major health risk for chimpanzees that is similar to humans?

• Diabetes

• Cancer

• Respiratory diseases

• Heart disease

How did Jenny and her team prevent COVID-19 transmission to chimpanzees?

• By allowing only essential staff near them

• By isolating the chimps from all humans

• By using herbal remedies

• By vaccinating the chimps

What is Jenny's approach to communicating with chimpanzees?

• Ignoring their communication

• Teaching them English

• Using sign language

• Learning and using chimpanzee language