New England Anti-Vivisection Society’s Project R&R has obtained a few photos through their Freedom of Information Act request.
Below is a photo of Heidi, Negra’s daughter, who is still at the Alamogordo Primate Facility (see post from earlier today)
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Alamogordo Chimps Update
New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is a hero for chimpanzees. Two days ago he filed a complaint with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to investigate the transfer of the remaining 186 chimpanzees at the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF). Since then he has been busy with press conferences and interviews with the media about this complaint, which is supported by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) and Animal Protection of New Mexico.
The complaint asks the USDA to investigate whether transferring the chimpanzees from APF to a biomedical research laboratory in Texas violates the Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits the transportation of ill, injured or physically distressed primates. Many of the chimpanzees, such as Flo (53 years old), are elderly and suffer from chronic diseases as a result of their age and their history as biomedical research subjects.
Thanks to Freedom of Information requests from PCRM, we now know that Foxie’s mother, Winny, is among the chimpanzees living at APF who faces transfer to Texas. Winny’s birthdate is listed as 1/1/1962. She is almost 49 years old.
Foxie’s son David, Negra’s daughter, Heidi, and Jody’s daughter April also face transfer. Jody’s son Levi has already been moved.
(For the complaint that PCRM filed in September that includes information on the chimpanzees at APF, click here).
For how to help, visit RetireTheChimps.org
Alamogordo update – sad news
Through a Freedom of Information Act request, Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories (Project R&R) has learned that Levi, Jody’s son, is among the group of chimpanzees who have already been moved from the Alamogordo Primate Facility (APF) to the Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research.
Project R&R is encouraging supporters to contact Dr. Barbara Alving, the Director of the National Center for Research Resources. Please see the Project R&R alert and contact Dr. Alving today to ask her to halt the transfer of any more chimpanzees and allow all 202 chimpanzees from APF to be permanently retired.
Jody had at least nine babies taken from her during her years as a breeder and biomedical test subject. For the first time in her life she is able to soak up the sun, make huge nests and live each day without pain and fear. Her son Levi and her daughter April, who is still at APF, deserve the same.
Senator Cantwell introduces GAPA companion bill
If you receive our e-newsletter you found out some sad news this morning – at least four of the 202 chimpanzees living at the Alamogordo Primate Facility who are slated to be transferred to Texas and made available for biomedical testing are children of the Cle Elum Seven.
We were able to determine this thanks to Project Release and Restitution and the information they have available on their website.
Learn more about this transfer of 202 chimpanzees from our July 16th blog post and view today’s newsletter with details of whose children are among the group: August e-newsletter.
There is hope for these and all chimpanzees in biomedical research in the United States, however. Today, Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell introduced a companion bill to the Great Ape Protection Act, first introduced in the House of Representatives as HR 1326. Passing GAPA would mandate that federally-funded chimpanzees be retired to sanctuary and would outlaw the use of chimpanzees in painful and invasive biomedical research.
Learn more about GAPA and how you can help from the Seattle Times editorial co-written by Executive Director Sarah Baeckler and from the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine.
This is a crucial time for chimpanzees and we have the power to help them. Thanks to everyone who is speaking out for them.
