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Chimpanzees in the news
Where
we stand
Unlike many other species of animal,
chimpanzees can be found in a wide variety of settings -- zoos,
sanctuaries, circuses, media, and in private ownership. As
such, there are often stories in the news about chimpanzees -- some
good and some bad. The chimpanzee acts as an advocate for the
species and here we outline our public stance on several recent news
stories involving chimpanzees.
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The story |
Our stand |
| STAMFORD, Conn. --
A chimpanzee
kept as a pet was shot and killed by a police officer
Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 after it attacked a woman visiting its
owners' home, leaving her with serious facial injuries,
authorities said. |
These tragic
stories underscore the unherently unpredictable outcomes of
keeping chimpanzees as pets in unregulated environments.
Most private citizens do not have the resources to properly
provide for the social and housing needs of a complex animal
such as a chimpanzee. |
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ROYAL, Neb. —
Three chimpanzees from a small-town zoo were shot to death
after they escaped from their enclosure and could not be
captured. A fourth chimpanzee also escaped but quickly
returned to its cage, officials said. |
Zoo Nebraska
is not accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium
Association (AZA) and as such does not necessarily meet the
high standards set by this association for animal care.
The Chimpanzee SSP regrets the loss of life in this tragic
story and strongly advocates the transfer of the one
surviving chimpanzee to the
Center
for Great Apes, a reputable sanctuary in Wauchula,
Florida who has offered to take in young Ripley. We
also continue to discourage the private ownership of
chimpanzees in general, as these apes can grow to be strong,
unmanageable and dangerous. |
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