The Chimpanzee Islands of Marshall Liberia

Monkey Island sits approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Monrovia within the brackish waters of the Farmington and Little Bassa rivers. This collection of six distinct landmasses serves as a retirement colony for roughly 66 chimpanzees that survived decades of biomedical research at the nearby Vilab II facility. Visitors typically reach the site by driving roughly 90 minutes from the capital to Marshall City—a quiet coastal settlement where the river meets the Atlantic. The primates living here are not wild in the traditional sense; they are a semi-dependent population requiring daily food deliveries and medical monitoring because the islands lack sufficient natural forage.

A Complex Legacy of Biomedical Research

The Vilab II Research Project

The history of the colony began in 1974 when the New York Blood Center established a laboratory in cooperation with the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research. This facility used chimpanzees as primary subjects for developing vaccines against hepatitis B and other infectious diseases. For over thirty years researchers captured wild chimps and bred others in captivity to further their studies. The site eventually became one of the most productive hepatitis research centers in the world—a fact that remains a source of local pride and international ethical debate. Many of the older chimpanzees still living on the islands today carry the physical and psychological scars of these invasive medical trials.

Retirement to the Farmington River Archipelago

When official research activities concluded in 2005 the surviving chimpanzees were relocated to the six islands in the river. These islands are identified by numbers rather than names—Island 5 is found in the Farmington River while Islands 1 through 4 are located in the Little Bassa. The transition to this island life was meant to be a permanent retirement. Because chimpanzees are naturally afraid of water and cannot swim the river serves as a natural enclosure that keeps the animals isolated from human settlements. This arrangement worked reasonably well until a funding crisis in May 2015 nearly led to the starvation of the entire colony. The Humane Society of the United States and Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection (LCRP) eventually took over the care of the animals.

Planning a Visit from Monrovia

Finding a Reliable Boat in Marshall City

Reaching the islands requires negotiating with local fishermen or boatmen at the Marshall City waterfront. There is no centralized ticket office or official visitor center so the quality of your experience depends heavily on the boatman you hire. The north entrance near the old maritime base tends to be less crowded and offers better access to the larger boat operators—a detail most casual visitors overlook. You should expect to pay between 50 and 80 US dollars for a private boat hire depending on your bargaining skills and the size of your group. These boats are generally traditional wooden dugouts or small motorized skiffs that can feel precarious when the current is strong near the river mouth.

Costs and Interaction Protocols

Strict safety rules govern how you interact with the residents of Monkey Island. You must never attempt to step off the boat onto the islands because the chimpanzees are territorial and can be extremely aggressive toward strangers. They are three to four times stronger than a human and have been known to throw rocks or feces at boats that get too close. The best time to arrive is around 10:00 AM which usually coincides with the morning feeding schedule organized by the caretakers. Witnessing the feeding is the only way to guarantee seeing a large number of the primates at once since they otherwise retreat into the dense mangrove canopy to avoid the midday sun.

Conservation and the Future of the Colony

LCRP and Long Term Care

Managing a colony of 66 chimpanzees costs approximately 30,000 dollars every month in food and medical supplies. This financial burden is currently shouldered by international non-profits since the New York Blood Center withdrew its support nearly a decade ago. LCRP works to ensure the chimps receive a balanced diet of fruits and specialized cornbread. The staff members have built deep emotional bonds with the animals over many years and they are often the only humans the chimps will allow to approach closely. While many see this as a tourist attraction the primary mission remains sanctuary and survival for these research veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can visitors step onto Monkey Island to walk with the chimpanzees?

No visitors are strictly forbidden from landing on any of the six islands for safety reasons. These chimpanzees are semi-wild and highly territorial animals that view humans as intruders on their space. Viewing is done exclusively from the safety of a boat maintained at a respectful distance of at least ten meters from the shoreline.

What is the total cost for a trip to see the chimpanzees?

A day trip typically costs between 60 and 100 dollars per group for the boat rental plus roughly 20 dollars for fuel and driver tips. There is no official entrance fee for the river itself but visitors are encouraged to bring a donation or bags of fruit to contribute to the feeding program. Most travelers also hire a private driver from Monrovia for approximately 50 dollars for the return journey.

When was the research facility officially closed?

The Vilab II facility officially ended its biomedical research program in 2005 after operating for 31 years. Following the closure the surviving population of chimpanzees was moved to the river islands to live out their remaining years in a semi-natural environment. Responsibility for their care shifted through several organizations before landing with the Humane Society and LCRP in 2015.

How many chimpanzees currently live on the islands?

There are approximately 66 chimpanzees currently residing across the six islands in the Marshall area. This number includes the original research survivors as well as a small number of offspring and rescued orphans integrated into the groups over the years. The population is closely monitored by veterinary staff to ensure the social dynamics and health of the colony remain stable.