We are lucky that we are able to see and share “the other side of the story” of the Cle Elum Seven chimpanzees. But we never forget where they came from and we never forget about the over 1,000 chimpanzees still in biomedical research facilities.
Today, an excellent set of articles came out about the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research and the issue of the Alamogordo Primate Facility chimpanzees whose fate is still uncertain after receiving a temporary reprieve from their transfer to what is now called the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Please read the series of articles in McClatchy by Chris Adams here: www.mcclatchydc.com/chimps
If you’ve been following this story on our blog and e-newsletters (just search for “Alamogordo” in the search box to the right), you know that Jody’s son Levi was already transferred to the biomedical facility. Among the 186 chimpanzees whose fate is depending on the decision of the NIH officials examining the issue is Negra’s daughter Heidi (pictured below), Foxie’s son David, and Jody’s daughter April.
This is a crucial time for not just the Alamogordo chimpanzees, but all laboratory chimpanzees. The bill to outlaw the use of chimpanzees in invasive biomedical research in the United States was recently reintroduced as the Great Ape Protection and Cost Savings Act.
Learn more about this bill and how to help: Project R&R
For more on the Alamogordo Primate Facility chimpanzees: Retire the Chimps
It’s fairly unusual these days to have such an in-depth series of articles. I wrote to thank Chris Adams — when a reporter receives email on a story it shows there’s interest in the topic. If you’d like to write him, you can email him at [email protected].
Diana, thank you for this post!!!
Heidi looks so much like her mother (Negra).
I too have e-mailed Mr. Adams to thank him for his report ad I hope he and others will do more reporting on this subject. I also asked him to contact CSNW if he wanted more information or has any questions on the subject of chimps in medical research, the use of chimps in entertainment and as pets.
We need to stay on top of this issue and make sure our law makers are aware of the need to get these special beings into sanctuary.
To read these articles saddens me beyond words but I’m so glad the word is getting out about the chimps in research. It will only be through growing awareness that it is put to an end but my heart breaks for all the chimps that have had to suffer and die already. 🙁