‘Baby Chimp Rescue’ Recap: ‘A New Beginning’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Baby Chimp Rescue’.
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Each and every one of us out there, have some kind of dream or goal or accolade in our minds and in our hearts, that we dedicate ourselves to achieving. Because this particular goal (or goals) fuels us and fires up our spirits in a way we never thought possible and that fire is what motivates us to chase it. But while it is always delightful to talk about ‘the dream’ and how it drives us, since such a powerful notion is inspiring to discuss, what we don’t talk about enough when it comes to this concept… is why we keep plugging away at our goal. Because, achieving our dreams is no easy task, in fact at times the odds are against us and the endgame seems so far off in the distance. Yet… we continue to drive toward it.

Simply because there is something specific when it comes to our respective goals that truly motivates us to wake up in the morning and work upon them, and we’re not talking about fame and glory and buckets of cash. We are talking about a fundamental reason, related to our goals, that excites and energizes us, and it just so happens that this particular aspect of our dreams was explored in great detail in the series finale of Baby Chimp Rescue and with good reason. After all, we’ve seen Jenny and Jim Desmond face the kind of odds that would quite frankly, make most people quit a quest to save chimpanzees from being hunted and harmed. But regardless of the odds and the losses and the challenges they face, Jenny and Jim continue along, without giving it a second thought, and once we got past more trials and tribulations in ‘A New Beginning’, we finally came to understand what keeps them going and why they fight so hard for these animals.

As it turns out, their quest to save chimpanzees from rough fates relates to some deep-rooted moral concerns. For example, they want to right some serious wrongs that they’ve seen humanity commit. Because they initially came to Liberia to watch over primates that were used in heavy medical study and abandoned when the study came to a close. And seeing how scarred these poor animals were after that harrowing experience and realizing that more wrongs were waiting in the wings for the chimpanzees that live here, is what motivated them to chase their noble cause. Because helping these animals survive and thrive in a safe and healthy environment is indeed healing the souls of everyone involved (chimpanzees included) and it is righting a wrong in a world that can be cruel at times, and it was quite powerful to really come to understand their motivations for working this hard at their goals and to come to find… that they are in fact making a difference because of their efforts.

For this episode also informed us, how the government in Liberia is starting to understand that these gentle primates are not meals or pets. Since the justice system in Liberia is now prosecuting people that are breaking the laws related to chimpanzees, and the meat that is sold in markets is being seized and destroyed, and to make this episode even more inspiring… we also came to learn that donations are starting to pour in. And all of this is happening because of the fact that Jenny and Jim refuse to quit, and because their efforts to teach everyone that these animals are living and breathing beings with feelings and needs, are paying off and motivating folks to support this cause because now they understand it is just and true, and that really is an inspiring and beautiful way to end this series. Since it makes it clear that through hard work and dedication… our dreams can in fact, come true. 

But while that message is important and powerful in its own right, it is also critical to recognize what the realization of this dream will mean for the chimpanzees; something that we got a taste of at the very end of this tale. Because the Desmonds and their staff, took some of the chimps to the future site of the sanctuary to let them experience what their future home will be like. And seeing these chimpanzees apply what they've learned in their training sessions and take to the trees and smile with glee… is what truly makes all of these efforts worth it. For there is going to come a day, and soon, where these animals will live exactly as nature intended them to, and they will be safe and happy and able to thrive… all thanks to the dedication of two kind individuals that believe we can do better in regard to our relationship with mother nature and that failure, is not an option.

To learn more about Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection and their mission, or to support their cause, please visit their website.

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