A horror movie, Primate, came out in theaters a few weeks ago, telling the story of a pet chimpanzee that turns “rabid”.
1) The chimpanzee in the film is fully computer-generated imagery (CGI). That is a win!
2) Even though it is a fictional horror film, it is just another example of why primates should never be pets and it should be banned in all 50 states.
At the sanctuary, we often get asked about how much contact us caregivers have with the chimpanzees. We never ever enter their enclosures with them and we only have protected amounts of contact through the caging.
For example, we can interact with them through the mesh and allow them to groom the back of our hands or elbows. We can do this safely by not putting our hand or elbow against the caging but allowing the chimpanzee to fully extend their fingers to meet us. In this position, we can safely interact with the chimpanzees without the possibility of being grabbed.
This is just one example of safe interactions we have with the chimps. You may be asking, what is the need for such extreme safety?
Chimpanzee strength is the answer.
I have heard every number of the sun in the phrase, “chimps are 1-8x as strong as humans”, as it seems like every source states a different number. However, the takeaway is chimps are much stronger than humans, because of the different muscle mechanics. They can lift and throw things with ease, easily climb and hold up their entire body weight to swing on a firehose or brachiate through the trees or enclosures.
For example, the chimps often throw barrels and tubs in their displays. With ease, the item goes flying across the room, making a loud noise (which was the intended goal). I could also throw a barrel or tub if I wanted to, but 1) it wouldn’t go flying across the room the way they do it 2) I would have to lay down after with a heating pad. The human body isn’t built for such a task.
Here is an article I found if you want to read more about different fiber makeups between chimpanzees and humans! Here is a former blog post by J.B. about chimpanzee strength as well.
Thanks, Jenna.
I kind of had the same takeaway, but am also sad that it perpetuates the “they’ll rip your face off, dude!” remarks. I don’t know, maybe giving him rabies was the “excuse” they were giving them. I wouldn’t see it either way.
From looking at reviews, it seems like the film does go with the “Ben was a perfectly nice and happy pet who caused no problems for his family until he got rabies, which immediately made him evil” narrative.
It does. But if you’re going to remake “Cujo”, why a chimp?
Same here. I find this new trend of “face-ripping monsters” representation of chimps in Hollywood movies alarming even when it’s sarcastic or just criticism of humans.
And regarding the previously written part – probably you all know that Ai, the “chimpanzee genius” from Kyoto Primate Research Institutehas just died (precisely, on 9 Jan) – her “mentor” and friend, professor Tetsuro Matsuzawa once said in a 2010 Smithsonian Magazine interview: “For 30 years I’ve been with chimpanzees in the same room, and I still have ten fingers”.
In regard to JB’s post, I can think of two examples when humans unleash their full strength. One is people on certain illicit substances, that it takes many individuals and sometimes many taser strikes to control. The other is people with mental conditions that years ago we called mentally retarded (I’m not sure what the appropriate term is in this day and age). In both cases, they display superhuman strength that they are not conscious of.
I have to say, I’m pretty disappointed to see another movie portraying chimpanzees as bloodthirsty and horrible. Chimps are strong and xan be violent, but there’s so much more to them than that!
Ugh. I was unaware such a film was created. And it’s from Paramount. Enough said. Thanks Jenna. Jamie and J.B. created a wonderful video as to why primates do not make good pets, but your post today clearly explains the safety measures you and members of the staff must constantly consider. You can never be too careful or let down your guard. Not that anyone would harm you deliberately, but their strength could cause a horrible outcome.