Liberia’s only sanctuary for rescued animals
Taking a picture of a Campbell monkey isn’t always easy (Photo by Gary Foster)
A few years back, Libassa Ecolodge, Beach and Lagoon Resort opened Liberia’s first (and only) animal sanctuary. It’s mission is to protect animals that have been orphaned or have been cruelly or illegally kept.
The sanctuary strives to return as many of its residents as possible to the wild, but provides ongoing care for those that cannot survive on their own. For example, some birds can no longer fly and there’s a blind crocodile (probably lost its sight in a fight).
Duiker
We were there about feeding time. While most of the animals are caged for their own protection, some are allowed to roam free. I found out first-hand that it’s hard to take pictures of a Campbell monkey.
Tours of the sanctuary are offered daily with Jason, a British naturalist, conducting the visits. Admission is $5 per person and helps to support the operation. I haven’t added captions to every photo, mostly because I’m not sure of the right species names.
P.S. Libassa is about 30 minutes east of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital. The day we left the resort, we spotted a mistreated chained chimpanzee on the west side of Monrovia (near the port). We called the sanctuary to let them know and are still waiting to see if they were successful in rescuing it.
Finally captured a pic of the Campbell monkey
Where to next? 
Magnificent share
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Many thanks.
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That monkey seems to be looking into our souls.
I hope the chained chimp got rescued by the sanctuary.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We hope so too, Pete. It would have been rescued as long as it was still in the place we saw it. Otherwise, who knows!
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I bet this isn’t an ordinary experience for most tourists. These animals are so fortunate to live at this sanctuary. I’d like to adopt the beautiful duiker. And that baby sloth. You should probably send a bill for the photography lessons given to the Campbell monkey. Look at that face he finally let you get a pic of – so sweet.
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It was such a wonderful experience to have the monkey gazing so closely into my camera. He really managed to hang on.
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Lovely photo’s and the Campbell monkey! So cute.
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And very cheeky.
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how wonderful
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I’m so glad Gary got a pic of me with the monkey.
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That last picture is amazing!!
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Isn’t he gorgeous!
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Very much so!
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Loved this post and the one about hair.
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Thanks so much. Now we need to organise some travel together.
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That top photo with the monkey looking into the camera is great, the sort that gets thousands of shares around the Internet.
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Oh yes, go ahead and share it!
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How fantastic the work a place like this does. Wonderful 🙂
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They are finding new victims all the time and are running out of space, so I hope another sanctuary can be opened soon.
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The Campbell Monkey looking through the camera lens might be saying, “ICU UCMe!”
Q: Are they like many monkeys in parks, do they try to grab some food, items off of tourists?
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We didn’t take in any food and the only thing the Campbell monkey tried to grab was my camera. I think he saw his reflection.
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I always get sad-happy when I hear about animal sanctuaries. Sad that we need them at all but happy that they exist. Thanks for sharing these great photos, especially the one of the birds. 🙂
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You are most welcome. I know what you mean about the sad–happy feeling.
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That monkey will be a cameraman when it grows up, I tell you. It’s sad when animals are mistreated, but many people in other cultures don’t see it that way so unfortunately. I know because I once thought like that.
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I look forward to seeing the first primate cameraman! Haha! It’s good that more cultures are learning about to care for our animals.
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A wonderful place to visit and for what it does. 😎👍
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I agree completely.
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I’m pleased that picture of you and the monkey was captured too. It’s a classic. Love the last one as well. a gorgeous creature. Isn’t it great that there’s enough selfless, dedicated people still left to counteract the damage done by the people who exist at the opposite end of the scale.
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Excellent point Chris. We need more of these selfless, dedicated people.
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The first monkey pic is hilarious, the second gorgeous. Those eyes!
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I agree about both. Thanks for stopping by.
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Its nice to know that they try to return these animals to the wild.
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I agree. They have already secluded some animals in preparation for release.
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I laughed so much at that first pic, loving these photos.
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I love that pic too.
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I find sanctuaries bring out mixed emotions in me. Happiness that someone has saved and provided for animals that have been abused and or neglected and yet sad for those that never return to the wild.
That photo of trying to take a photo of the monkey is just wonderful! hahaha.
Peta
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Yes, sanctuaries bring out very mixed emotions. This one is doing a good job.
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Great shot of the monkey, Peggy. Those animals, I might note, are also lucky to have not ended up in chop. We have an animal sanctuary about a quarter of a mile away from us where the animals are welcome to live out their lives in comfort. Since they are all domestic animals, there is no turning them back to the wild. –Curt
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Sanctuaries done right play an important role. I’ll always love that pic with the monkey.
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As you should, Peggy. It’s special. –Curt
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I love it! But it’s kinda sad that there’s only 1 animal rescue shelter in Somalia! 😀
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Yes, it is sad.
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They should totally add more!
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I hope they can.
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Hi Peggy,
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying your African adventure. Thanks for all of your shares.
My magazine on sustainability is shaping up nicely, I’m hoping to publish soon, and I am still interested in featuring a piece by you.
This one would work quite nicely. If you’re interested in contributing this piece, maybe slightly adjusted to make it magazine-suitable, and if the sanctuary is happy for it, just let me know 🙂
Brett
brett.stadelmann@unsustainablemagazine.com
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Hi Brett — sorry to take so long to reply. Remote travel. I’m sure the sanctuary would be interested. It’s at the Libassa EcoLodge and the fellow who looks after the sanctuary is named Jason. I’m not able to contact him easily until I get home in mid-May. You are most welcome to do so.
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All good. Thank very much for that. I’ll let you know how I get on 😉
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Hi Peggy,
I never heard back from Jason, and got too busy to chase it up. My first issue is now complete. You’re welcome to peruse it whenever you have some free time, and an internet connection 🙂
http://www.unsustainablemagazine.com
I might try Jason again when I have some time to work on my second issue.
I would still love to include something from you in a future issue, if you’d be interested in some kind of collaboration.
All the best,
Brett
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Okay, that monkey grabbing your camera made me laugh. But look at that close-up at the end! You’ve a gift with the lens, my friend xxxxxxxxxx
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Thanks Jean. He really did seem to pose for me.
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What a lovely post. Glad I discovered it. They’re all beautiful, but Duiker especially.
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Thanks for finding me. That duiker is a beauty and so healthy looking.
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Thankyou for this. I think I will add this sanctuary to my places to visit. Always nice to see humans choosing to help animals, especially wildlife, and especially in a country where it is not the norm.
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You are most welcome. I thought this sanctuary was doing all things right. Well worth a visit.
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♥️
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Thanks for visiting.
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