Hollywood Rallies to Save Liberia’s Chimps at Star-Studded Event
Hollywood actors Kate Mara, Rooney Mara, and Jamie Bell attended a West Hollywood event to help save Liberia’s chimps
Los Angeles, December 15th, 2024 — If only for a brief night, the spotlight in West Hollywood shifted from glitz and glamour to compassion and conservation as Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) hosted a memorable fundraiser. Held to support the organization’s critical mission, to save chimpanzees from the illegal bushmeat and pet trades, the event was graced by Hollywood stars including Emmy-nominated actress Kate Mara, her husband and BAFTA award-winning actor Jamie Bell, and her sister, Oscar-nominated actress Rooney Mara.
Kate and Rooney are longtime advocates of LCRP, having visited its sanctuary in the West African nation of Liberia in 2018. They are passionate about raising awareness for the chimps under LCRP’s care —animals left orphaned because of poaching and the barbaric wildlife trade. Speaking about her encounter with these threatened animals, Kate remarked, “Once we had the opportunity to be face-to-face with these incredible animals, there was just no turning back.” UnchainedTV’s Jane Velez-Mitchell interviewed the husband and wife founders of LCRP.
Watch the riveting interview with the Desmonds who care for more than 100 chimps!
The Desmonds Need Your Help
Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection, co-founded by veterinarian Jim Desmond and his wife Jenny, operates as Liberia’s first and only chimpanzee sanctuary for victims of the bushmeat and pet trades. In 2015, the Desmonds were asked to help save 66 chimpanzees who had been abandoned on Liberian islands by the New York Blood Center after being used for decades in biomedical research. It took two long years of intense protests against the New York Blood Center before an agreement was finally reached in 2017 to provide millions for the long term care of those 66 chimps.
In 2015, TheirTurn journalist Donny Moss described the tragic situation the Desmonds encountered.
The Desmonds Upend Their Lives, Staying in Liberia to Save Chimps!
The couple had originally planned to stay in Liberia for just a month, but Liberia’s chimp crisis was escalating before their eyes. Government authorities began bringing them other chimpanzees, mostly babies, victims of the bushmeat and wildlife pet trades. The Desmonds rose to the enormous challenge and remained in Liberia. They completely upended their lives to save chimpanzees who would, otherwise, almost certainly die.
Today, their rescue center looks after more than 115 chimps, most of them juveniles. Each month, LCRP rescues more chimpanzees, often from heartbreaking circumstances. These efforts require significant resources, including money for basics, like food and medicine, but also for infrastructure, and the enforcement of Liberia’s wildlife laws. They simply cannot do it alone and are pleading for help.
This year, LCRP launched an emergency fundraising campaign intending to raise $250,000 by December 31st to support its expanding operations. The funds will aid in feeding and housing the chimps, creating new protected areas, enforcing anti-poaching laws, and strengthening community partnerships to protect these endangered primates.
“We’ve rescued over 100 chimpanzees over the past nine years, all of them orphaned by the illegal wildlife trade. And, because we’ve rescued so many chimps, our costs have gone through the roof. We’re literally bursting at the seams. We need to raise money to expand the sanctuary and pay for their care every month. And we can’t do that without you, so please donate today.” – Dr. Jim Desmond, Co-founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection
Watch Dr. Desmond’s Appeal Video Here!
Hollywood’s Commitment to the Cause
The BBC’s hit series about the LCRP’s conservation and rescue work, Baby Chimp Rescue, introduced this sanctuary and its chimps to the entire world. But, in order to expand and keep rescuing primates, more exposure is needed. This is where celebrities can help.
At the fundraiser, Kate Mara posed alongside her husband, Jamie Bell, and her sister, Rooney. The family’s presence highlighted their deep commitment to animal welfare and has inspired others to rally behind the cause.
Attendees, including filmmakers Gabriela Cowperthwaite and Michelle Cho, mingled with LCRP founders Jim and Jenny Desmond to discuss the challenges and successes of their chimpanzee rescue efforts. The evening emphasized the pressing need to protect these animals and the transformative impact of collective action.
LCRP’s work transcends borders, showcasing the power of global collaboration in conservation. By attending events like this fundraiser, celebrities like the Mara sisters amplify the urgency of protecting wildlife and ensuring the survival of species threatened by human activity.
Click below to meet some of the chimps the Desmonds are caring for!
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