A few weeks ago, we alerted you to a new Comedy Central show called Big Time in Hollywood, FL, with reported footage of a chimpanzee in several scenes. We know now that chimpanzee is Eli, who lives at a training facility called Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife.
One of the actors from the show, Lenny Jacobson, identified Eli in an interview where he talked about the experience filming with a chimpanzee. He mentioned that the trainer on set was missing a finger from a chimpanzee bite—which isn’t shocking given the true nature of chimpanzees. Chimpanzees are very strong, and once they become too hard to manage, trainers will discard them at roadside zoos or pseudo-sanctuaries.
Eli’s trainer has a history of dumping former nonhuman ape actors at very decrepit facilities, including Walter, who was found kept in a dark, barren, concrete pit filled with garbage at a roadside zoo. Eli’s trainers also have repeatedly failed to meet minimal animal welfare standards. (www.eyesonapes.org/eli)
There’s still time to act—the episodes with Eli’s scenes have not aired yet. Please send a polite letter to the producers and to Lenny Jacobson letting them know that chimpanzees should not be used in entertainment. Not only are there numerous welfare concerns, but seeing chimpanzees dressed up in clothing and in physical contact with humans perpetuates the idea that they can be treated as pets.
Your letters do work! Another alert we sent out last month regarding a McDonald’s France commercial with Suzy (who lives with the same trainer as Eli) was pulled after they received feedback from Eyes on Apes supporters and other advocacy groups. Great victory! We hope to see Big Time in Hollywood, FL make the same progressive decision.
We’ve set up a sample letter which you can customize as you wish (click here). You may also post on the show’s Facebook page.
We must continue to speak up for those that have no voice! The most selfish, cruelest and dangerous beings on earth–HUMANS!!
What happened to Walter ??????
Can we do something to help Walter???? I will do what I can….. I will definitely donate or help in any way I can….. any ideas…… can we start some kind of rescue process ????
Hi Lorraine,
As far as I’m aware, Walter is still at the Amarillo Wildlife Refuge (read about the investigation here). I believe it is still on PETA’s radar.
Thanks for the info…. I will follow with PETA
Very informative post today. Thank you for giving us the tools to help put a stop to this explanation of Great Apes.
Thank you Debbi for always keeping us up-to-date on these very important issues that need immediate “Action’! I sent 2 custom letters from my personal perspective (I spent over a decade in the Greeting Card industry believe it or not!) and Bcc’d Eyes on Apes. I hope, with enough pressure poor little Eli will have the life he has earned, a life in a sanctuary.
Here is great webiste for facts on animals in entertainment, too bad those in the TV/Advertising/Movie/Greeting Card industry never do their research. If they did we would have no need for chimpanzees or other wild animals and the so called “Trainers” would go out of business. Animals in Film and TV : http://www.animalsinfilmandtv.com
Thank you Eyes On Apes!!!