Release the Elder Chimpanzees

Primate Lab Violations End Project At UConn

2007-01-18T11:28:00.000-08:00

Activists help put an end to gross negligence and primate deaths at a University lab. It's amazing to me that most Universities, even seemingly progressive ones like UC Berkeley, conduct useless experiments on animals.

"Famous Long Ago"

2006-12-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

Legendary "Humanzee" Oliver, his friends, and the bitter fight over animal welfare at a Texas refuge.

EU Politicians Calling for an End to Primate Research

2006-12-11T12:02:00.000-08:00

"MEPs Jens Holm, Caroline Lucas, Sajjad Karim, and Robert Evans are today calling on other MEPs to back a landmark call to make plans for an end to the use of chimpanzees and monkeys in experiments across the European Union (EU). The call comes at a point when almost 50 MEPs have signed a declaration before the European Parliament to end primate research across the EU in the next six years."

Let's hope the U.S. wakes up and follows Europe's lead. I find it very sad that we as a nation aren't leading this fight for compassionate science.

Spotlight on New Iberia

2006-12-05T17:08:00.000-08:00

New Iberia Research Center (NIRC) has the most captive primates in the world, and is affiliated with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

A former employee revealed disturbing allegations of animal cruelty that prompted an investigation and lawsuit, and another group that analyzed reports requested from the University (as is our right under the Freedom of Information Act) found disturbing signs of abuse and neglect relating to a group of rhesus monkeys. NIRC has also conducted maternal deprivation experiments, what I consider to be one of the more cruel, useless, abominable "research" activities.

Write to Thomas J. Rowell, the veterinarian in charge, and request that the aging chimpanzees under his care be released to a sanctuary. These animals will not be forgotten.

Thomas J. Rowell, DVM
New Iberia Research Center
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
4401 W. Admiral Doyle Drive
New Iberia, LA 70560

Karen - age 48
Billy Ray - age 47
Clay - age 46
Diana - age 46
Jan - age 46
Julius - age 46
Lady Bird - age 46
Pumpkin - age 46
Sandy - age 46
Walter B. - age 46

Not All Sanctuaries Are Sanctuaries

2006-12-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

For example, Primarily Primates, Inc., which housed several retired research chimps, is apparently a pit of despair.

Also, facilities that receive federal funding such as Chimp Haven must return animals to laboratories if they are requested to. In my book, that's not really retirement.

Project R&R has a list of sanctuaries that can take animals, and notes which have received funding, and I assume approval, from them.

Personally, after watching Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History on PBS and getting to "know" Gloria Grow, I think the Fauna Sanctuary is truly a place that's earned it's name.

The Public Has Spoken

2006-11-30T19:55:00.000-08:00

Most Americans think that chimpanzees who have spent more than 10 years in research deserve to be retired: seventy-one percent of us, in fact. Despite this, nearly 90 percent of lab chimps have been used for more than 10 years.

"So Like Us"

2006-11-29T20:39:00.000-08:00

Jane Goodall's pioneering research has opened a window into the private lives of chimps. To read how similiar they are to humans, visit JGI's Chimpanzee Central.

"Once we admit that we are not the only beings with personality, reasoned thought, and above all, the ability to feel and express emotions such as joy, despair and empathy, then we develop a new respect for chimpanzees. The line between human and other non-human beings, once thought so sharp, becomes blurred. This forces us to a new respect also for the other amazing animal beings with whom we share the planet. "

Activists Win Primate Museum Suit

2006-11-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

From the Wisconsin State Journal: "A Dane County judge said Monday that the law is on the side of animal-rights activists who want to buy buildings next to the UW-Madison's primate labs and open a museum highlighting the cruelty they say happens at the labs."

Spotlight on Alamogordo

2006-11-27T11:09:00.000-08:00

Elders Flo and Guy are being held at the Alamogordo Primate Facility in New Mexico. It was founded from the ashes of the infamous Coulston Foudation, called primate purgatory by the New York Times.

According to an official NIH web site, Alamogordo "houses chimpanzees that have been used in biomedical research, but no active, invasive research is conducted on the site." However, all the chimps held here have been used in biomedical research, and were infected with diseases such as hepatitis C and HIV. They may all be used again at any time.

I urge you to write to Director Rick Lee about Flo and Guy. Below is a copy of my letter, sent by certified mail.

Alamogordo Primate Facility, Intramural, NIH
PO Box 956, Holloman AFB
New Mexico 88330 USA
Director: Dr. Rick Lee

Dear Director Lee,

Pursuant to the Federal Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, I am writing to request copies of documents containing the following information: all laboratory reports, protocols, daily care logs, veterinary reports, photographs, videotapes, and any and all other records referring to the the chimpanzees Flo and Guy.

Are they in good health? As elder chimpanzees that have been in a laboratory setting for decades, it is time they were released. I am deeply concerned for their welfare and feel that the best place for them is at a sanctuary dedicated to their health and well-being. Why should they remain in limbo, on the chance they may be used for research again, when they've already sacrificed so much?

I urge you to contact Project R&R (Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories) at 617-523-6020 for information on appropriate sanctuaries that are ready and willing to take these animals.

I look forward to your timely response within three weeks of receiving this letter.

The Great Ape Project

2006-11-25T08:15:00.000-08:00

GAP is an "international group founded to work for the global removal of non-human great apes from the category of mere property, and for their immediate protection through the implementation of basic legal principles designed to provide these amazing creatures with the right to life, the freedom of liberty and protection from torture."

You can read and sign the declaration on great apes here.

Holiday Blanket Drive for the Elders

2006-11-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

If you can, donate a little money towards the holiday blanket drive. It's a small but important comfort, and it shows laboratory officials and workers that there are people outside who are thinking of the elders as they wrap the blankets around their weary bodies.

Chimps Being Chimps

2006-11-23T22:12:00.000-08:00

Compared to wild chimps, lab chimps suffer unnatural, immoral, painful violations to their mind, body, and spirit.

The Discover Chimpanzees web site has a great video section which lets you into the lives of wild chimps: You can watch them engage in a variety of normal, natural activities that lab chimps never get a chance to. My favorite is tag, you're it!

The Fauna Sanctuary

2006-11-22T12:36:00.000-08:00

Even though research on chimps is funded by taxpayer dollars, many of the places in which they're held resist and refuse to release information about the animals they test on. Places like the Fauna Sanctuary, which is home to several chimps retired from medical research, painstakingly piece together the stories of their lives: like Pablo, born in 1970 in Africa and stolen from his mother to spend his life in the circus, at a breeding facility, and finally as a victim of biomedical research.

Years of harrowing medical research caused him to scream, hug himself, and throw himself around the room in fear whenever he was approached for any medical procedure. Upon his arrival at the sanctuary, Fauna Foundation workers describe him:

"...his physical appearance was one of an individual who has seen it all; he was weathered and worn out, hardened and suspicious. He limped and of the fingers and toes he had left, all were deformed. This guy had very obviously been through a great deal but never had the respect he deserved for his service to humans.

Pablo's greatest times at Fauna were spent with his chimpanzee friends and adopted family. He was truly one of the most social fellows at Fauna, and could often be seen sharing a snack, playing a game of chase, or just laying in the sun up on a high platform next to three or four of his companions. He cared about the others in his new family and would always be at their side in times of need.

One of the saddest things about chimps in labs is that their individual relationships, which are so vitally important to them, aren't respected; they are moved without a thought to the friendships they've made, if they've even been allowed to socialize at all.

Pablo died in 2001, but not after having a little bit of freedom and joy after his long years of servitude.

Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History

2006-11-21T09:19:00.000-08:00

I recently watched an episode of Nature on PBS called Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History that I highly recommend. PBS has even explained the alternatives to testing on chimps.

Also, I just read an interview with one of the chimp rescuers, talking about why they've built islands for the sanctuary chimps:

"But the islands are a place with no bars over their heads. They can come out, surrounded by water and look up at the sky without any obstruction. There's a vegetable garden on one of the islands. One of the females, Pepper, likes to pick her own veggies. She'll take her blanket with her and camp out on the island at night. She likes the quiet, away from the rest of the group. Just a chance to go out onto their islands, has changed their personalities a lot."

I really hope Wenka and the other elders get a chance to experience those islands.

You can check your local listings here or buy the DVD here.

This is Wenka

2006-11-20T14:54:00.000-08:00

This lovely lady was born May 21st, 1954. She's been experimented on longer than I've been alive.

Sign the Petition

2006-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Please sign the petition asking the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Elias Zerhouni, to release Wenka and the elder chimpanzees in compliance with the spirit of the CHIMP act of 2000.

Wenka's Story

2006-11-15T12:45:00.000-08:00

Read what Project R&R has been able to piece together. Then, consider writing a letter Director Zola at Yerkes National Primate Research Center asking for an update on her health and when they plan to release her and the other elders being held there.

Stuart M. Zola, Ph.D.
Director, Yerkes National Primate Research Center
Emory Univsersity
Gatewood Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322

The Chimpanzee Elders being held at Yerkes:

Wenka - age 52
Cheeta - age 49
Lulu - age 49
Maxine - age 49
Boka - age 47
Martha - age 46
Mary - age 46

About This Site

2006-11-15T01:10:00.000-08:00

Under the Freedom of Information Act, Americans are allowed to request full disclosure of all federally funded animal experimentation because our taxes pay for them.

My name is Livia McRee. I am a wildlife rehabilitator living in Northern California. There's lots of animal experimentation that I'm not happy about but I thought if I focused on something specific I could make a difference.

This web site is part of my personal plan to help raise enough awareness to release the elder chimpanzees who, in my opinion have been tested on long enough and deserve to retire after giving so much of themselves and decades of their lives to humanity.

There are many groups working on behalf of chimps in labs. Everyone who feels the pull to help needs to speak up and get creative. I've started this blog to keep track of my efforts and help educate anyone who's interested.

Who are these beautiful Chimpanzees?

Elder chimpanzees, aged 46 and older being held at various primate research facilities in the United States.

Wenka - age 52 (Yerkes)
Cheeta - age 49 (Yerkes)
Flo - age 49 (Alamogordo)
Lulu - age 49 (Yerkes)
Maxine - age 49 (Yerkes)
Harriet - age 49 (Primate Foundation of Arizona)
Karen - age 48 (New Iberia)
Guy - age 47 (Alamogordo)
Boka - age 47 (Yerkes)
Billy Ray - age 47 (New Iberia)
Clay - age 46 (New Iberia)
Diana - age 46 (New Iberia)
Jan - age 46 (New Iberia)
Julius - age 46 (New Iberia)
Lady Bird - age 46 (New Iberia)
Martha - age 46 (Yerkes)
Mary - age 46 (Yerkes)
Pumpkin - age 46 (New Iberia)
Sandy - age 46 (New Iberia)
Walter B. - age 46 (New Iberia)

Why?

These animals have been in research for decades. Some were bred in captivity and have never known a day of freedom. Others were stolen from their families in the wild. All have long, sad histories, but one thing is certain: They've done their time and deserve to spend their remaining days in relative freedom, free of pain and fear. Please sign the petition!