When you’re the boss, exploring the hill is serious business.
Rock of Ages movie
Primate Patrol is CSNW’s advocacy program. Our goal is to provide the public with information on the plight of primates exploited in media, and alert subscribers to current issues with the use of primates in TV shows, movies, and advertisements. Sarah went undercover into a training facility in Hollywood and witnessed the trainers routinely abusing the chimpanzees. In addition to the welfare concerns with using primates in media, we also have to think in the long-term—where are they going to be sent once they are too big or too hard to handle? To learn more about these issues, check out Primate Patrol and sign up to receive alerts in your inbox. You can also Like us on Facebook!
Today I sent out the following alert, about a new movie premiering on June 15th:
Rock of Ages, a new film musical scheduled to premiere in June, stars a lot of famous human actors – and a baboon. Tom Cruise, one of the stars, stated in an interview that he requested to work with a monkey. When asked about preparing for his character, Cruise said that he thought one day “You know what? I need a monkey.†When asked to elaborate he stated, “When Stacee [Cruise’s character] is not onstage, he’s kind of sad. And I thought, ‘this guy has to have a monkey that’s his best friend.’ Adam [Rock of Ages’ director] found this baboon. He sent me the baboon’s audition tape, and I said, ‘the baboon’s name has to be Hey Man.’ Stacee Jaxx doesn’t work without Hey Man.†The baboon, Mickey, was also recently on the show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. He was seen exhibiting abnormal behaviors and a fear grimace.
Please avoid contributing to the box office receipts for Rock of Ages – don’t go see it! Please spread the word to your friends and encourage them to boycott this movie with you. Let them know that monkeys should not be used in TV and film media, including the reasons listed above. Thank you for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves!
If you have Twitter, go ahead and tweet that you won’t be seeing Rock of Ages because of the baboon actor. Example tweets:
Join me – don’t go see @rockofagesmovie because of their baboon “actor.â€
Stand against abuse of nonhuman primates. Don’t go see @rockofagesmovie! Please RT!
RT Please! Join @PrimatePatrol and don’t support @rockofagesmovie when it premieres June 15th.
Foxie’s tongue is famous
If you’ve liked us on Facebook, you’ve probably seen some posts recently about Foxie’s reaction to the new GoPro camera in news articles around the world. Today, the article was posted on Huffington Post. (Click the link to go to the article).
Just to correct a misunderstanding—Foxie does still love trolls and other dolls (like Dora!) but she is not still carrying around Trixie, her original troll. She will sometimes find a troll or doll that she likes enough to carry around for a few days, but not much longer than that. (Also, as many of you know, the chimps were rescued close to four years ago—not just last year like that article says. However, it was just last year that they were given access to a 2-acre habitat of relative freedom).
In this picture, Foxie’s got her tongue out, and both a troll and Dora doll in her hand.
Role Reversal
Jackie got some excellent footage of the chimps switching roles the other day. As many of you know, The Cle Elum Seven chimps all have unique personalities. Negra usually keeps to herself, is quiet, and likes to rest a lot. Missy is super playful, loves to run, and tries to get the other chimps to chase her. Foxie (not shown in this video) is a troll connoisseur. In this video, we see Negra initiating play, holding trolls, and stealing nests. Missy forgoes play with her best friend Annie in order to take a nap Neggie-style. Even though they all have their individual personalities, they definitely continue to surprise us!
In Jody’s Honor
Elizabeth is currently getting some pictures together from today’s party for the blog (will be posted soon!) but I just wanted to post a quick update on today’s fundraising goal in honor of Jody. We still have a ways to go, so please consider making a small donation to help Jody and her family here at CSNW! We’d love to reach our goal of $1,000 by the end of the day. Keep checking our Facebook page for updates about the fundraising, and activities of the day (and “like” Jody’s Facebook page, too!)
Oh, and volunteers Jeani and Julie are busy preparing some beautiful “bouquets” of fruits and veggies for the chimps’ dinner:
Lounging with trolls
Nothing like some sunshine and a handful of trolls to make you just want to lay back and relax.
Delicate Jamie
Sometimes Jamie can be quite destructive, with her great displays that show her domination, and her investigations of enrichment. So in contrast, I really love how delicate she looks with this small cherry tomato in these pictures from the other day. (I also really love the amazingly vibrant green grass in the background!)
