Release Projects

The Sooty Mangabey (Cercocebus atys) is fully protected by Liberian law, yet many fall victim to the illegal bushmeat and pet trades. Orphans are often found clinging to their deceased mothers, only to endure lives of isolation and malnutrition on chains or ropes.

The Sanctuary is currently home to more than 50 mangabeys. Our mission is to provide these primates with a second chance: returning them to the wild in Liberia’s first-ever monkey release.

Releasing hand-reared orphans is a complex process. Having lost their families, these monkeys lack essential survival skills. To ensure their success, we are implementing a multi-stage "Soft Release" strategy:

• Relocation & Acclimatization: A candidate group of 18 mangabeys will move to a large pre-release enclosure within a protected forest for 4–6 months.
• Health & Tracking: Every individual will undergo rigorous medical screening. Key members will be fitted with radio collars to monitor their movements.
• Gradual Transition: Following their release, Eco-guards will provide supplemental feeding and daily monitoring.
• Self-Sufficiency: Over two years, we will gradually reduce support as the troop establishes its territory and masters foraging, eventually achieving full independence.

We are pioneering a new chapter for wildlife conservation in Liberia, but we cannot do it alone. We need to raise US$ 125,000 to cover the costs of:

• Constructing pre-release enclosures
• Specialized animal nutrition and veterinary care
• Wages for post-release monitors and Eco-guards
• Community engagement and essential transportation

Help us help them!