Rebeca hugs Simeon Fahn on the way to the LCRP sanctuary.

An Orphaned Chimp Hugs Rescuer All The Way To Her New Sanctuary (Super Sweet!)

When an infant chimpanzee had a chance to go somewhere safe, officials from wildlife conservation did everything they could to make sure that the little one would get there.

No one knows precisely what happened to Rebeca's family — but it's probably the same sad story a lot of infant chimps endure.

Endangered chimpanzees, said to be one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, are being killed for bushmeat. More frequently, the adults are killed, leaving their helpless babies behind. These poor little chimps are then usually sold for a profit as pets.

Baby Rebeca was orphaned when her family was killed for bushmeat.

And this was just about to happen to Rebeca — until some heroes stepped in.

Jenny and Jimmy Desmond, a married couple who became determined to do something to help save chimpanzees from extinction. They started a sanctuary for orphans just like Rebeca called Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP).

Their rescue dog, Princess, also helps them raise the orphans who are so in need of love and comfort after losing their families.

She has wounds around her waist from the rope and her front teeth are broken.

"Rebeca came from a town called Banga," Jenny said. "Jimmy was there doing work for an organization for whom he consults — EcoHealth Alliance. The wildlife officials found out he was there and knows that we run a chimpanzee sanctuary ... so they quickly seized Rebeca to get her to him while he was in the area."

Rebeca had been tied up outside a man's house who presumedly killed her family for bushmeat. A local woman discovered her and offered to buy her.

Rebeca was then handed over to the authorities, who quickly jumped at the opportunity to send the baby chimpanzee to the sanctuary.

Simeon Fahn, part of the LCR team, drove Rebeca to her new home. She cuddled close to him the entire way as if she knew she was finally safe.

Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection

When Rebeca arrived, she made a nest — which is something young chimps learned from their mothers. They make it in a safe, hidden and a cozy place to sleep. As they move nearly every night, it is an important skill to have.

When Rebeca woke up on her first day of safe and new life, something amazing happened.

"This morning we all woke up and Max, Poppy and Bui [other newly rescued baby chimps at the sanctuary] caught sight of a new friend in the bed," Jenny said. "And Rebeca caught sight of them. While Max and Poppy stayed near me, afraid, Bui went directly to Rebeca and took in deep breaths all over her body then gave her a big hug. Rebeca who had been very nervous about all of them at first glance and was immediately put at ease with Bui after this greeting and they started playing and laughing loudly."

A new safe haven for Rebeca.

Both Rebeca and Bui are from the same area, near Banga, and they are close in age. They probably know each other.

For the first time in her life Rebeca she was no longer in danger the moment she woke up on her first day at the sanctuary. She'll be well-taken care off with new friends and family to call her own.

“If we look straight and deep into a chimpanzee's eyes, an intelligent self-assured personality looks back at us. If they are animals, what must we be?”

- Frans de Waal