As an animal lover and a seasoned cinephile, I couldn’t help but be drawn to the new BBC Two series, Baby Chimp Rescue. This heartwarming show follows the lives of Jim and Jenny Desmond, a devoted couple who have dedicated their lives to rescuing baby chimpanzees. The series offers an intimate and fascinating glimpse into their journey to provide these chimps with a healthy and stable life. Whether you’re a chimp enthusiast or simply curious about these intelligent creatures, this show has something for everyone. So, without further ado, let’s dive into 10 things you didn’t know about Baby Chimp Rescue.
1. The Desmonds: Experienced Chimp Caretakers
Jim and Jenny Desmond didn’t just start caring for baby chimps for the sake of the show. They have been working in this field for several years, believing that it’s their true calling. The couple runs a non-profit organization called Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.
2. Jim Desmond: Wildlife Veterinarian
Jim’s qualifications go beyond his passion for chimps. He is a wildlife veterinarian who graduated from Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, specializing in researching emerging diseases. This expertise makes him uniquely suited to care for these vulnerable creatures.
3. A Liberian Setting
Although the Desmonds are originally from the United States, they have been living abroad for several years. After residing in Kenya, they were asked by the Humane Society to relocate to Liberia to care for nearly 70 chimpanzees. The show takes place in Liberia, where many chimps are in desperate need of medical attention and specialized care.
4. More Than Just Entertainment
While the primary goal of any TV show is to entertain, Baby Chimp Rescue goes beyond showcasing the adorable antics of baby chimps. The series aims to raise awareness about the dangers these animals face and educate viewers on why chimps should not be kept as pets.
5. Teaching Chimps Essential Life Skills
In addition to addressing their medical needs, Jim and Jenny also teach the baby chimps crucial skills they’ll need to survive on their own. Since many of these chimps are orphans, their parents are no longer around to guide them.
6. Prepare for an Emotional Rollercoaster
Baby Chimp Rescue is filled with heartwarming moments, but it also has its share of heartbreak. Viewers may find themselves moved to tears by the conditions some chimps have endured before finding refuge with the Desmonds.
7. A Three-Week Miniseries
Before you get too invested, it’s essential to know that Baby Chimp Rescue is a miniseries. It will air over three weeks, and that’s it. However, it’s not entirely impossible for a miniseries to evolve into a full-length series, so keep your fingers crossed!
8. Interactive Fun on the BBC Website
If you’re already excited about a show featuring baby chimps, you’ll be thrilled to discover the BBC website. In addition to clips from the show, the site offers quizzes to test your chimp knowledge and even lets you find out which kind of baby chimp you are!
9. A Manmade Forest Home
The Desmonds’ ultimate goal is to nurse each baby chimp back to health, teach them survival skills, and release them back into the wild. However, during an interview with a Florida news station, they revealed that the chimps are released into a manmade forest-like habitat rather than the ‘real’ wild.
10. Exploring Chimp Culture
While ‘culture’ might not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about animals, chimps have their own unique customs and traditions. For example, chimpanzees native to one area may exhibit different behaviors than those from another region. As the Desmonds care for these baby chimps, they also strive to help them preserve their distinct culture.
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