Horrifying truth of owning a primate – statements on “Chimp Crazy”; video of former pet monkeys at Texas sanctuary
By Rodi Rosensweig
The Humane Society of the United States
Last night the first episode aired of the HBO documentary Chimp Crazy, about people and their pet chimpanzees. For more context on the issue of owning primates, we wanted to share data and statements from our experts about this cruel, dangerous industry.
According to data compiled by the Humane Society of the United States, more than 300 dangerous incidents (primarily attacks and escapes) involving primates kept as pets in 41 states have occurred since 1990, causing injuries to 153 adults and 78 children, as well as the deaths of more than three dozen primates. In addition to catastrophic human injuries caused by chimpanzees, other primate attacks have caused severed fingers, ears and nostrils, bone-deep bite wounds and severe lacerations, as well as the need for prophylactic injections for various diseases. While Chimp Crazy focuses on chimpanzees, other primate species flood the trade including baboons, capuchins, lemurs, macaques, marmosets and more. Video of former pet primates.
Below are statements from experts at the Humane Society of the United States, its flagship animal sanctuary Black Beauty Ranch, and the Humane Society Legislative Fund:
Laura Hagen, director of captive wildlife, the Humane Society of the United States, said: “Primates bred for the pet trade are doomed to a miserable, lonely life. To facilitate the pet trade, breeders pull newborns from their mothers soon after birth, traumatizing both mother and baby. The infants are then sold to people who, in a futile attempt to mold these wild animals to a life of domesticity, maim them and deny them everything that is natural. Once they inevitably fail, the primates are sold to another inexperienced owner, or simply left to a neglected life in a small cage where they are likely to develop severe anxiety and self-destructive behaviors like pulling out their hair. Keeping primates as pets is not only inhumane, it is dangerous to everyone around them. Primates cause catastrophic injuries and can transmit bacterial, viral, parasitic and fungal infections that pose serious human health risks — a proven recipe for disaster. An inconsistent patchwork of state laws allows the primate pet trade to flourish. Passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act would finally put an end to this devastating trade.”
Sue Tygielski, senior director of Black Beauty Ranch, an animal sanctuary in Texas with nearly 600 residents, said: “Our animals come from all forms of cruelty, including the pet trade. Among the 32 primates here, two marmosets, two capuchins and four macaques are former pets. Despite now living a peaceful, safe life in a large, natural setting, they still show signs of early trauma. We see anxious behaviors consistent with animals forced to be someone’s pet, deprived of learning the essential coping and resilience skills from their mothers. Jackie, a nervous Capuchin, grasps and holds her abdomen when she is stressed or over excited. Kali, a marmoset, has bouts of unpredictable aggression. In a sanctuary setting, these animals have a second chance with an appropriate diet, proper medical care, and the freedom to choose how to spend their time – climb, swing, run, sleep, communicate and play with one another. Primates are not pets and require the freedom to be wild. Confining primates to human homes deprives them of a rich life full of naturally wild experiences and is often dangerous for their caretakers.”
Jennifer Eskra, director of legislative affairs, Humane Society Legislative Fund, said: “No one needs to keep a monkey in their home or yard. Primates are highly intelligent, social wild animals, and their natural behaviors make them unsuited for life as pets. It is dangerous, cruel and all too easy to buy a primate from an exotic animal dealer or even online. The Captive Primate Safety Act (H.R.8164 and S.4206), would help stop this deplorable industry. The bill would prohibit interstate commerce and private ownership of nonhuman primates for the exotic pet trade, while exempting licensed facilities such as zoos, research institutions and sanctuaries. This bipartisan bill would strengthen protections for both primates and public safety.”
Kathleen Conlee, vice president of animal research, the Humane Society of the United States, added, “Some pet chimpanzees were ultimately sent to laboratories where they and their offspring were used for biomedical research, another dark side of the exploitation of these incredible animals. To ensure that chimpanzees who are owned by the government are transferred from laboratories to the sanctuary they deserve, we are demanding the enforcement of an existing law, The CHIMP Act. These incredible and endangered animals don’t deserve to die in laboratories.”