Liberia: Ecoguards patrol hundreds of kilometers on foot to protect chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are among our closest relatives in the animal kingdom – and are endangered (© WCF)
Apr 2, 2025
Rainforest Rescue has been working with the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) for several years to preserve the habitat of critically endangered chimpanzees in Liberia. At the heart of this effort are the Ecoguard patrols. The men and women from villages on the edge of the Grebo-Krahn and Sapo national parks are doing an amazing job with tangible success.
1,050 kilometers – as the crow flies, that’s roughly the distance from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Last year, the 32 Ecoguards supported by Rainforest Rescue walked that distance in Grebo-Krahn National Park alone to help protect chimpanzees. Over 263 days, they trekked along an imaginary grid through dense jungle, fording streams and crossing hills.
During their patrols, the men and women from nearby villages discovered 2,142 “signs of human activity,” according to a report by the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF). Evidence documented gold prospecting, tree felling and illegal hunting in the protected area. Six poachers from outside the region who intended to sell bushmeat in Côte d’Ivoire were arrested.
The good news is that compared to 2023, observed “human activities” decreased by 35 percent.
This is a very encouraging sign that the joint efforts of Community Ecoguards and forestry authorities are making an impact.”
Annika Hillers
WCF Liberia
During their patrols, the Ecoguards logged 2,806 wildlife sightings in Grebo-Krahn National Park, including pygmy hippos, forest elephants, and chimpanzees.
Ecoguards also in Sapo National Park
22 Ecoguards were deployed by the WCF in Sapo National Park, with a particular focus on a zone open to tourism. These teams traveled 707 kilometers and detected 658 instances of human activity. 99 percent of these involved poaching. Here too, there was an encouraging decline – half as many cases compared to the previous year.
Creating awareness of nature
In addition to patrolling, the Ecoguards discussed the importance of rainforests and their protection with residents of 63 villages. They clarified what is permitted and prohibited in protected areas. After all, conservation efforts cannot succeed without community support.
Rainforest Rescue will continue collaborating with the Wild Chimpanzee Foundation (WCF) in 2025 – we are looking forward to another successful year!
