I know it’s the weekend, but get out your paper because it’s time for a little Pop Quiz.

Which of the following are endangered?

(a) Chimpanzees

(b) Orangutans

(c) Gorillas

(d) All of the above

You can breathe now…it was only one question!

As a primate enthusiast, you may be aware that the correct answer is (d) All of the above. However, this fact is not well known to everyone. In 2005, a survey of visitors at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo asked respondents to take a similar quiz and select which apes they believed to be endangered: 95% said gorillas, 91% chose orangutans, but only 66% picked chimpanzees. When asked why people thought that chimpanzees were not endangered, the most common reason given was that chimps are commonly seen on television, in advertisements, and movies, and so must not be in jeopardy.  Later surveys conducted at different zoos showed similar results. (To find more, click here)

We know that the public’s perception of whether or not an animal is endangered is important because conservation efforts are supported in great part by general members of society.  The widespread use of chimpanzees in the entertainment industry has led to a popular view that chimpanzees are simply amusing creatures that are fun to watch and enjoy interacting with us.

The reality is that wild chimpanzee populations are suffering from many factors that threaten their continued existence in the wild. Deforestation, disease, exploitation for the pet trade, and harvesting for the bush meat industry are just a few of the factors that have led our country to designate the wild chimpanzee as “Endangered.”  Images of chimpanzees affected by these issues are far from cute, and many people would be shocked to know the type of traumas suffered by chimpanzees on a regular basis.

There is no question that wild chimpanzees are endangered, and once the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) designates a species as “Endangered,” that animal becomes well protected by law. For instance, an endangered animal cannot be harmed in any way, sold or transferred in and out of the country without special permission, or used for commercial purposes.  Because wild chimpanzees are endangered, it seems logical that all chimpanzees would have these rights, but in fact, they do not.  The USFWS made a special provision in 1990 listing chimpanzees as endangered in the wild, but “threatened” in captivity. No other species has such a dual designation. Ultimately, the status of “threatened” means that there are less rules regarding the captive chimpanzee population, and so chimps in our country can still be used for medical research, as TV and print celebrities, and yes, even as pets.

The vast majority of primatologists do not believe that chimpanzees should be used for our entertainment or as pets. They are highly intelligent, highly social animals but should not be treated as miniature human beings. As we can see by the surveys conducted at local zoos, when people see chimpanzees in movies and on television, they do not realize that wild chimpanzees are suffering severe losses in numbers every year. We need the average American to understand this problem and support conservation efforts to stop the loss. Further, we need the United States to take a stand and put restrictions on the way chimpanzees are used in our country.

Although many US agencies promote chimpanzee conservation in the wild, the US is the only developed nation to continue to actively use chimpanzees for biomedical research, and we are the primary country involved in breeding and exploiting chimps for the entertainment and pet industry.  It is time that we set an example to the world to end captive chimpanzee exploitation, and the first step is convincing the USFWS to change the status of captive chimpanzee from threatened to ENDANGERED!

The good news is that the USFWS is currently reviewing a petition put together by a variety of primate-friendly agencies, such as the Jane Goodall Institute, American Zoological Association, and the Humane Society of the United States, who are all advocating this change.  Many other agencies are submitting scientific data to support the cause, and we are keeping fingers crossed that the USFWS will take this first step towards better protection for a primate that shares nearly 99% of our own genetic code.

We will be sure to keep you posted on new developments to this issue!

Links:

Read the petition.

More in-depth article on the issues in question.

Learn about chimpanzee use in the biomedical industry.

Thoughts?  Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail us at info@iloveprimates.com

CLICK HERE TO send an e-mail that asks your senators to co-sponsor the Great Ape Protection Act (GAPA), S. 3694. This important legislation would end invasive research on chimpanzees who remain in laboratories, release federally owned chimpanzees to permanent sanctuaries, and end federal funding for the breeding of federally-owned chimpanzees, affecting more than 1,000 animals. Below are talking points related to this alert.

• The Great Ape Protection Act will save taxpayers $20‐25 million annually.
• The U.S. is the only nation in the world that is known to still use captive chimpanzees for large-scale invasive research.
• Although chimpanzees are our closest genetic relatives, physiological differences make chimpanzees poor models for human health research
• Chimpanzees used in research suffer from post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression

For more ways to help primates, visit our GET ACTIVE page.

Ah, animal pests–raccoons routinely overturning trash and strewing it across the sidewalk, armadillos digging for grubs and wreaking havoc on the lawn, or perhaps wild rabbits regularly visiting the homegrown garden, quickly munching the best produce you worked so hard to grow. Wild animals invade, and the turf wars begin. Some people simply exterminate at will. Others attempt catch and release projects, involving long drives into the country to find a spot far enough away to dump the pesky critter. A few of us shrug our shoulders, pick up the trash or shredded vegetables and just admit defeat.

What about when these pests are primates? Are human responses any different? The October issue of the American Journal of Primatology focuses on ethnoprimatology: the study of the issues that arise when humans and nonhuman primates interact with each other.

Negative human-nonhuman primate interactions are becoming more of an issue in many places, since ongoing habitat destruction is increasingly shrinking the areas where primates can safely range and forage. Several species of primates have adapted to their loss of personal space by routinely utilizing food grown by humans or rummaging through morsels left behind in city trash bins.

Loss of crops and increased risk of disease transmission are two of the most common problems that local people face in dealing with territory overlaps with nonhuman primates. Monkeys that destroy crops and display little or no fear of people are described by their human neighbors as “greedy,” “lazy,” and even “evil.” Some farmers exterminate these animals at will, even when laws exist that ban primate hunting.

Assuming that you love primates, which is probably why you ever decided to peruse a site entitled “iloveprimates.com,” the thought of monkeys being killed or viewed in such a negative light might be disturbing. However, the fact that farmers attribute human morality to the primates is interesting in its own right. Some of the more destructive primates are viewed as bitter enemies and are assigned human traits often viewed by societies as “sins.” However, other less invasive primates are described in a positive ways, with valuable characteristics such as humility, friendliness, and honesty. And, despite garnering the hatred of so many people, even the “sinner” primates are fed during the dry season by the same humans that subsequently blaze guns a few months later.

Humans seem to have an instinctual fondness for these animals so similar to ourselves, but this similarity can also cause feelings of uneasiness and a sense that primates are acting maliciously against us when they take food or display aggression. Are other animals really capable of malice? What exactly happens to cause an animal to be considered a pest?  Fun ideas for future discussion and debate!

Primary Source: Perceptions of nonhuman primates in human–wildlife conflict scenarios (Hill, C.M. and A.D. Webber)

Long, gray cape shimmering in the sunlight, a male Hamadryas baboon sits perched upon a rock, lackadaisically chewing on a grass stalk and monitoring his harem. The females in his group are closely bonded to him, and they stay near to him with their youngsters in tow. Juveniles also play nearby, bouncing from spot to spot, grappling and chasing each other for hours at end. Night approaches, and his family joins up with other Hamadryas families, forming a safe clan that will sleep together until morning arrives.

Far away on an entirely different continent, another male baboon sits alone on the bare floor of a metal cage, helplessly pulling at the chain around his neck, listening to the loud noises surrounding his cage, uncertain about what will happen when night falls. Dubbed “Tilin,” this male Hamadryas baboon was born into captivity and raised in a  South American circus.

A year ago, Tilin’s life experiences centered on the routines associated with being a circus performer. Most likely, he was unaware that his plight could ever change. However, a movement was underway in Bolivia, led by Animal Defenders International (ADI) and supported by the overwhelming majority of local residents. Designed to end the animal violence and confinement that was far too prevalent in South American circuses, this campaign represented the world’s first national ban on animal circuses. Due to the work of dedicated volunteers, benevolent supporters, and determined advocates, the ban was officially passed in June, 2009.

Tilin, along with four adult lions, were the first animals to be released from their involuntary servitude in the circus. Through the financial help of Bob Barker, ADI was able to build a new enclosure for Tilin and commit to funding care for all five of the animals for the rest of their lives.

Tilin is currently undergoing the process of being moved to the Lakeview Monkey Sanctuary in the U.K.

The first step was to release him from his confinement chains. Watch this happen below:

You can also watch the rest of Tilin’s journey unfold by clicking here to visit his ADI Rescue Diary. Although not yet complete, Tilin’s tale will have a happy ending. Now a healthy and active baboon, Tilin will spend his days at a primate sanctuary where he may have a chance to meet other baboons and will no longer be made to work for a living. Regular care and attention will undoubtedly be lavished on this handsome male.

ADOPT TILIN TODAY! You can show love for Tilin by adopting him, which will allow more animals like him to be rescued from poor conditions in captivity. Click Here Now!