Plot Synopsis

At a home for rescued baby chimps in Liberia, orphans from the illegal pet trade receive round-the-clock care. Couple Jim and Jenny Desmond never planned to become surrogate parents to 21 chimpanzees, but now their home is bursting at the seams. Despite battling financial worries and an overflowing home, the Desmonds are determined to achieve their dream of moving the chimps to a more natural habit: a 100-acre forest surrounded by mangroves. Sadly, many of the rescued chimp babies lost their mothers before they were able to learn key skills, and will not be able to return to the wild. With help from friend and chimp specialist Ben Garrod, they teach the chimps vital life lessons such as climbing, foraging for food and recognising danger. Ben will visit the Desmonds and their ever-growing chimp family over 12 months. Together, the team hope that the chimps will grow up to live independent lives within their new home. BABY CHIMP RESCUE had its U.S. premiere on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT on BBC America.