Meet the team!
Our team is small and we work around the clock to care for Liberia’s amazing wildlife here at the sanctuary. We work with incredible animals including monkeys, pangolins, reptiles, birds and duikers to name a few - we have had over 70 different species come through the sanctuary since we opened.
Sue Wiper Sanctuary Director
Juty Deh Jr. Project manager sooty release programme
Giovana Daniela del Carmen Ponce Arana Veterinarian
Sue has worked with animals for over 20 years. She arrived at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in October 2021 after completing her PhD at the University of Chester, UK. Her thesis was on the social system, behaviour and communication of the endangered golden monkey that she studied in Rwanda. Prior to her PhD, Sue was the director of Trentham
Sue has worked with animals for over 20 years. She arrived at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary in October 2021 after completing her PhD at the University of Chester, UK. Her thesis was on the social system, behaviour and communication of the endangered golden monkey that she studied in Rwanda. Prior to her PhD, Sue was the director of Trentham Monkey Forest, Staffordshire, UK where she was responsible for all aspects of the conservation attraction, from the welfare of the 140 resident Barbary macaques to the long-term and day-to-day running of the business. Sue wanted to continue her work with animals in-situ and was drawn to Libassa because of the great number of rehabilitated animals that have been successfully released back into the wild. Sue hopes to continue the great work of the Sanctuary.
Giovana Daniela del Carmen Ponce Arana Veterinarian
Juty Deh Jr. Project manager sooty release programme
Giovana Daniela del Carmen Ponce Arana Veterinarian
Daniela joined us in June 2023 to take care of the animals that require veterinary attention.
Juty Deh Jr. Project manager sooty release programme
Juty Deh Jr. Project manager sooty release programme
Juty Deh Jr. Project manager sooty release programme
Juty has been with the team from the very start of the sanctuary in 2017. He never had formal training but had a great interest in animals and wildlife. He learned everything “on the job” and is now the project manager of the first primate release programme in Liberia. Juty knows every one of the monkeys inside and out, and his knowledge
Juty has been with the team from the very start of the sanctuary in 2017. He never had formal training but had a great interest in animals and wildlife. He learned everything “on the job” and is now the project manager of the first primate release programme in Liberia. Juty knows every one of the monkeys inside and out, and his knowledge and experience is of incredible value to the sanctuary. On top of that, he is incredibly skillful and has no problem fixing us a pangolin box or doing some repairments of enclosures.
Beyan Borbor Sanctuary Manager
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
After graduating from Forestry Training in Liberia, Beyan joined the team in 2019. He has recently been promoted to sanctuary manager and uses his skills to guide the team in the day to day running of the sanctuary. Beyan loves taking pangolins for walks in the forest and you can hear his laugh all over the sanctuary!
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
Mercy joined the sanctuary in 2017, shortly after Juty. She also never had formal training, but she turned out to be an amazing surrogate mom for the many orphaned animals at the sanctuary. She is usually in charge of feeding the animals and providing milk to the babies. Her down to earth attitude and great work spirit makes working with her a great pleasure!
Emmanuel Peter - Maintenance
Mercy Doe Animal Caregiver
Emmanuel Peter - Maintenance
Emmanuel joined us since the start of the sanctuary and is indispensable: He is charge of providing fresh drinking water to all the animals several times a day, going for browse for the antelopes, keeping the sanctuary clean, assisting in construction, painting, and many more! He is "the muscle man" of the sanctuary and is always in good spirit!
About Us
Chancy Kerkulah Animal caregiver
T. Benjamin Tehn Animal caregiver
T. Benjamin Tehn Animal caregiver
Chancy first came to Libassa as a lifeguard at the lodge. One day people were chasing a snake and Chancy saved it and we saw his passion for wildlife. Chancy started at the sanctuary in March 2021 and quickly found his passion for the duikers. When he was younger his late father kept a goat as a pet and asked Chancy to feed it - that is
Chancy first came to Libassa as a lifeguard at the lodge. One day people were chasing a snake and Chancy saved it and we saw his passion for wildlife. Chancy started at the sanctuary in March 2021 and quickly found his passion for the duikers. When he was younger his late father kept a goat as a pet and asked Chancy to feed it - that is where his love for wildlife started. Chancy looks after all the animals at the sanctuary but has a huge preference for the duikers and bushbucks
T. Benjamin Tehn Animal caregiver
T. Benjamin Tehn Animal caregiver
T. Benjamin Tehn Animal caregiver
Ben is a graduate from the Forestry Training Institute and after his graduation and one year internship we are pleased to say he is now a permanent member of the team. Ben applied for his internship because he was interested in the release of the wildlife back into protected areas. From the day he started caring for animals he fell in l
Ben is a graduate from the Forestry Training Institute and after his graduation and one year internship we are pleased to say he is now a permanent member of the team. Ben applied for his internship because he was interested in the release of the wildlife back into protected areas. From the day he started caring for animals he fell in love with the sooty mangabeys because of their characters. Ben is always enthusiastic, willing and able to help with everything that happens at the sanctuary and is a great tour guide.
About Us
John P Woah - FTI intern
Mabutu Toure - FTI intern
Mabutu Toure - FTI intern
John is one of our most resent Forestry Training Institute interns he was with us for two months at the beginning of 2023 and we encouraged him to apply for the years internship. We are happy to say he is now with us until at least July 2024 and he will be helping us to improve the in house awareness to visitors. John works with our enda
John is one of our most resent Forestry Training Institute interns he was with us for two months at the beginning of 2023 and we encouraged him to apply for the years internship. We are happy to say he is now with us until at least July 2024 and he will be helping us to improve the in house awareness to visitors. John works with our endangered Timneh parrots and lovingly cares for them each day and is interested in their behaviour and lovely song.
Mabutu Toure - FTI intern
Mabutu Toure - FTI intern
Mabutu Toure - FTI intern
Mabutu is a graduate of the Forestry Training Institute and a two month intern at the sanctuary at the beginning of the year. We encouraged him to apply for the years internship and we are happy to say he started it on July 1st 2023. Mabutu's passion for wild animals in Liberia is evident in the way he cares for the endangered Timneh
Mabutu is a graduate of the Forestry Training Institute and a two month intern at the sanctuary at the beginning of the year. We encouraged him to apply for the years internship and we are happy to say he started it on July 1st 2023. Mabutu's passion for wild animals in Liberia is evident in the way he cares for the endangered Timneh parrots and Bosman's pottos that we have at the sanctuary. Mabutu will also be trained in raising awareness to schools and communities