Today marks five years since Washoe, the first nonhuman to use a human language, passed away in Ellensburg (just 25 minutes from Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest where the Cle Elum Seven live). Like Negra, Annie, and possibly Jody, Washoe was captured from Africa. She was supposed to be used in the space program, but when that didn’t work out, she was instead the center of a language project. Now we know that captivity is never a good place for chimpanzees. When Washoe became too strong to handle, she had to live in a cage for the rest of her years. Sadly, that is the fate of any captive chimpanzee—those living as pets or used in entertainment will eventually have to be imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit because they simply are not meant to live in a human world. Biomedical chimpanzees are already in cages, some no bigger than a coat closet.
I first started working with Washoe and her family in 2005 as a college student. She taught me humility and to take everyone on their own terms, and she blurred the line between animals and humans. The way I see the world and my place in it has definitely changed forever—it was because of her that I realized how amazing these beings are and became a chimpanzee advocate. I met the Cle Elum Seven shortly after they came to CSNW in 2008, and was moved at how resilient and forgiving they were after everything they’ve been through. Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Jody, Missy, and Negra have been an inspiration. They have been through so much, yet they still find time to laugh and play. They can finally walk outside with sun overhead and grass under their feet—something we definitely take for granted. I can’t imagine living my entire life inside bars and I am so proud of the Cle Elum Seven for how brave they have become in the last four years. I know it is our duty to give them and all other captive chimps a good life. We took them from their natural and rightful environment from the forests of Africa, stuck them in cages, bred them, and exploited them for a cheap laugh or invasive research, all without regard to how they are just like you or me. They are beings who deserve to be taken on their terms, treated as equals—not forced to perform on TV or be injected with viruses because of humans believing they are superior.
Let’s speak up for captive chimps. Let’s release them from biomedical research. Let’s get companies and productions to stop using chimpanzees in their advertisements or movies. Since we can never return them to Africa, let’s at least give them a better life in a sanctuary where they can be taken on their terms, treated not as lesser beings but where their needs are of the utmost importance.
Help 100 chimpanzees get to a sanctuary by signing this petition—we need 1,250 more signatures to reach our goal of 5000! Write a letter to this TV show that teaches kids it’s OK to have a pet chimp. And don’t forget to join our Take Action: Eyes on Apes list to stay up-to-date on issues and action alerts!
Linda (Southern California) says
Great post Debbie! Wish we could sign the petition a hundred times!!
At the same time I think we need to thank the companies that choose to use CG chimpanzees (and other animals) in their TV commercials.
Tropicana has a new TV commercial out for their new Trop50 juice drink. (Link is below). http://www.themill.com/work/tropicana-trop-50-monkey-range.aspx
You can go to their web page: “Tropicana.com” and click on the Facebook link and thank them there. (They don’t have email set-up on their web page yet). If you prefer a one-on-one conversation, their phone number is available on their website on the Contact Us tab.
Sorry for the wordy post, just think it’s imporatant to say “thanks” whenever we have the opportunity.
Thx everyone!!
Linda
Annie Norris says
Well said, Debbie. I’m always so inspired by your Take Action Tuesday posts and look forward to them.
I’ve recently discovered the story about Washoe and have spent a little time researching. I’ve ordered the book Next of Kin by Mr. Fouts and waiting with bated breath for it to arrive. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it and can’t wait to learn more about Washoe.
Thanks again, Debbie!
Seewolfman says
Hello,
I am Martin from Germany and I am a big friend/advocate for animals. I posted here already a few times and perhaps a few remember me. For example, I pity my neighbour`s cows: They are tied in a fixed spot in the barn, cannot even turn around their whole life long: This is sad. Also the fate of animals in general, kept under circumstances in which they suffer is sad. And especially primates of course. But on the other hand I have problems supporting a general ban for all primates in laboratories under all circumstances. Being a Hep B and C sufferer for decades and knowing what immense harm these viruses can do to humans, a slow painful death is only one of the consequences. I had this discussion earlier and (I think it was J.B. Mulcahy) one of the staff pointed out that In hepatitis the research was not that effective. I am not a medical expert, so I don`t really know, but there might be other cases, diseases in the future, when Primate research could really avoid human suffering. So I have problems in generally closing the door, because I also hate HUMAN suffering.
Greetings from Germany,
Martin
Rita Stevenson says
Really, now, you disagree,,huh!
I too am a Hep C and B sufferer.
I CLOSE THAT DOOR SO FAR SHUT..
Ill keep the disease,,thank you,
NO CHIMPANZEE or ANY other animals need or should suffer,, because of ME,..
Let them do research on HUMANS instead of chimps or and other animals,,
I can think of several types of humans, they can test on,
Its HUMAN DISEASES they test for,, and not chimpanzee diseases,,
so, use humans I say
and NOT Chimps or Monkeys
they should use
ie those that hurt kids, pedophiles,
sacrifice them ,,etc,,
rtstvnsn!yahoo.ca feel free to write me,,
Seewolfman says
Hello Rita Stevenson,
Thx for answering, although you don`t disagree, but that is o.k. I also think that the test on primates should be the last resort, after other options (for example tests on more distant related animals like mice don`t prove to be effective). Of course there is the possibility to use humans (should be by free will in my opinion) , but there might be cases, when the risk there is too high
to use humans, or there might not be enough willing humans to undergo it. I have doubts that the use of criminals is an option here. But there is a philosophical question behind it, that makes arguing difficult, because it depends on premises that stem from believe, not knowledge. I believe, as much that I like animals, and I am a defender of their rights, that still man is the most developped and therefore the most precious being. I am not religious and I admit that chimpanzees are very close. But I would rather sacrifice a chimpanzee than a human , if I was forced to make a decision. You can say, that in your opinion all creations are equal and perhaps even a mouse has the same right to live. But this is philosophy and individual belief. We cannot argue here.
Greetings from Germany
Martin
Seewolfman says
Hello
This is me, Martin, again. I forgot to mention that I appreciate sanctuaries and I am grateful that you give the chimpanzees a new and better life on their old days. The apes would have surely less traumas and torturing experiences, if their needs had been better acknowledged in the laboratories, circusses etc.
I think general awareness was just not present a few decades ago. Good that people learn and think differently nowadays. Nevertheless the damage is done and you and other places fulfill an admirable task.
Thx, Martin
Diana says
Thanks for your comments, Martin and for your support of sanctuaries. I agree that philosophical belief plays a big role in whether people are for or against the use of animals in biomedical testing. For me, having worked directly with chimpanzees in sanctuaries, many of them who were damaged from their years in biomedical research, there is no question that it is unethical to use them in biomedical experimentation. That position doesn’t take away from my desire to help humans, though. I think what we really need to do is put money into more advanced research that does not rely on animal models, which are more often than not non-predictive of human systems anyway. Earlier this year, the Institute of Medicine in the United States reviewed the current biomedical experiments involving chimpanzees and determined that almost all of them are unnecessary from a scientific stand point. For the case of chimpanzees, I think it’s quite clear now that there are both ethical and scientific reasons to ban their use in biomedical testing.
Regarding the larger question of the use of all animals in biomedical research, you may be interested in exploring the scientific-based perspective of the group Americans for Medical Progress: http://www.afma-curedisease.org/
Seewolfman says
Hello Diana,
Thx for answering and sending me the link. I am grateful for any “insider” information. I remember a discussion between two scientists about the question, if primates should be banned for use in laboratories recently ( I think it was in National Geographic, German version) One was pro the other contra. It is even harder for a person, who is not an expert, like me, to decide what is right. I want the best for humans and animals, but to find that road is harder than it sounds…
Good luck for the future,
Martin