An upcoming NATURE program on PBS examines the lives of captive chimpanzees formerly used in entertainment and research. Read more. (San Francisco Chronicle)

The Primate Foundation of Arizona (PFA) recently announced that it will be closing in 2010, and has transferred ownership of its animals to the federal government. The 71 chimpanzees at the facility will be sent to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center instead of to sanctuary. Read more.

The Spanish parliament continues debating the rights of great apes. Read more. (SUR - The Newspaper for Southern  Spain)

Read more about Project R&R Advisory Board member Dr. Jane Goodall’s work for chimpanzees at the recent Chimpanzoo conference in Los Angeles. (KTLA News)

Time Magazine front cover story. Read more.

BBC News explores the similarities between chimpanzees and humans. Read more

Boston, MA – October 12, 2006 ― She has lived in a laboratory for over a half century. Gwen, a 54-year-old chimpanzee – believed to be the oldest chimpanzee held for research in the U.S. – is to be released into sanctuary this month. She is scheduled to leave New Iberia Research Center (NIRC) and be released to Chimp Haven, a facility in Louisiana that receives 75% of its operating costs from the federal government. Little is publicly known about Gwen except her age and ID number – Ch 428.

News of her expected release came following an inquiry and appeal from Project R&R: Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Laboratories, which fostered inquiries from U.S. Senate offices to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was also revealed that three other elder chimpanzees have recently died, and that several are now considered “too frail” to withstand transfer.

The CHIMP Act, signed into law in 2000, provides chimpanzees no longer needed for research with retirement rather than allowing euthanasia. Laboratories decide who is eligible for retirement. However, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) can recall “retired” chimpanzees for research if certain criteria are met.

“Gwen’s life in research behind concrete and steel for half a century is tragic,” says Theodora Capaldo, EdD, president of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS), which is spearheading Project R&R.

The request for the release of the 12 eldest chimpanzees in U.S. laboratories was made public on September 5th when Project R&R leaders visited Senate offices fueling interest and subsequent inquiries to NIH. That same week certified letters* went to each of the three U.S. laboratories where these chimpanzees are held. The letters were signed by the advisory board of Project R&R, including Jane Goodall, PhD; Roger Fouts, PhD; Gloria Grow; Carole Noon, PhD; and others.

*The certified letter sent to NIRC was unclaimed and returned to Project R&R. All others were received. NIRC has the largest “holding” of captive primates in the world and has been cited multiple times for non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act.

Contact: Karen Smith, 617-523-6020
E-mail: ksmith@neavs.org
http://www.releasechimps.org

Campaign Learns of Three More Deaths

Boston, MA – October 3, 2006 ― Following an appeal by many of the world’s chimpanzee experts, as well as inquiries from U.S. Senate offices, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed that two more of the 24 elder chimpanzees now held in U.S. labs, Jake and Jenda, (both age 48), have died. Primate Foundation of Arizona also recently revealed that their elder, Susie, age 52, has also died. The news of their deaths comes shortly before World Animal Day, October 4th, a worldwide day to acknowledge and be thankful for the ways in which animals enrich our lives.

“It is disheartening to realize for Jenda, Jake, and Susie, it is too late,” says Theodora Capaldo, EdD, president of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS), which is spearheading Project R&R: Release and Restitution for Chimpanzees in U.S. Labs. “We are grateful that our inquiries, which up until now have gone unanswered, have finally given us important information. We can all take a moment to remember these three individuals, who were subjected to laboratory life for close to five decades. It is unimaginable and particularly poignant on a day that celebrates animal life.”

A September 5th visit to U.S. Senate offices by Project R&R leaders fueled interest by former CHIMP Act co-sponsors and fostered inquiries to NIH on the status of the elders. That same week, certified letters went to each of the three U.S. laboratories that hold the 12 oldest chimpanzees. The letters, signed by Project R&R’s advisory board, called upon the labs to release them into sanctuary to live out their remaining years. Advisory board signatories include some of the top chimpanzee experts in the world, including Jane Goodall, PhD; Roger Fouts, PhD; Gloria Grow; Carole Noon, PhD; and others.

The letter’s request echoed a recent public poll that reveals 71% of the American public believes that a chimpanzee used for more than 10 years in research should be retired. Project R&R’s efforts to secure the release of the remaining 21 oldest chimpanzees in U.S. laboratories continue.

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Contact: Karen Smith, 617-523-6020
Alternate: 617-413-0611
E-mail: ksmith@neavs.org
URL: http://www.releasechimps.org