Thursday, July 29, 2010

R&R E-News



Project R&R Presents at ASP

Photo © Fauna Foundation

(Photo: NEAVS, sanctuaries, and animal protection groups presented at ASP and spent an afternoon at the Primate Rescue Center. Left to right: Gloria Grow, Fauna Foundation; Kathleen Conlee, HSUS; April Truitt, Primate Rescue Center; Amy Fultz, Chimp Haven; Patti Ragan, Center for Great Apes; John Mulcahy, Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest; and Theodora Capaldo, EdD, NEAVS/Project R&R)


NEAVS/Project R&R president Theodora Capaldo, EdD, recently presented at the 33rd meeting of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP) in Louisville, Kentucky, on a panel hosted by the Humane Society of the United States and also featuring Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. The panel, Great Ape Research and Retirement: Policy, Ethics, Economics and Science, was the first time ASP accepted a submission for such a panel dealing with the use and housing of chimpanzees in research and efforts to end their use and retire all chimpanzees to sanctuary.

Read More...
http://www.releasechimps.org/2010/06/30/neavs-presents-at-asp/

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NEAVS joins call for end of primate use in military, air, and space research.


Despite the rainy weather, numerous supporters who attended the June 10th protest let McLean Hospital know that the use of living animals in egregious air and space experiments — the likes of which have been going on for decades — must end.

(Photo: Protestors outside of McLean Hospital. Photo © NEAVS)

The protest followed news of NASA’s funding space radiation studies that will be done on live squirrel monkeys. The plan — which will cost $1.75 million taxpayer dollars — was proposed by researchers at McLean Hospital in Belmont, MA. The monkeys will be exposed to radiation at Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY) and then be shipped to McLean Hospital where they will be made to perform tasks to test for cognitive impairment. These highly intelligent and social primates will be housed alone in steel cages for at least four years and be subjected to daily restraint in primate chairs.

(Photo : An example of a restraining device for monkeys. Photo © PETA)

If you were unable to attend the protest, it's not too late to voice your opinion:

Please contact (public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov) NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden, Jr., and ask him to put a stop to these cruel and unnecessary experiments. Administrator Bolden needs to hear from you.

Please call (202) 358-0000 or e-mail (public-inquiries@hq.nasa.gov) and let him politely know that:

1. You support the mission of NASA,
2. You oppose space radiation studies involving the use of live animals because they are cruel, repetitive and pointless,
3. The experiments are in direct violation of the NASA Principles for the Ethical Care and Use of Animals,
4. Monkeys are sentient beings who experience pain and suffering just as we do, and
5. There are viable non-animal research methods that can, are, and should be used.

(Photo left: Protestors outside of McLean Hospital. Photo © NEAVS)
(Photo right: An example of a restraining device for monkeys. Photo © PETA)

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Bravo Alternatives!


Photo © AFAAR

NEAVS, one of the first animal protection groups in the country, was founded shortly after Harvard University established the first dedicated animal laboratory in the country — essentially, we are in each other’s backyards!

NEAVS applauds the growing number of researchers who are developing cutting-edge alternatives that save both animal and human lives. Most recently, scientists at the Wyss Institute at Harvard University have created a “lung-on-a-chip” — a non-animal alternative that can be used to test the effects of environmental toxins and drugs on living lung tissue. Stated by Dr. Donald Ingber, lead scientist, “Organs-on-chips could replace many animal studies in the future” — hope that one day we will no longer be haunted by photos of beagles and others animals restrained to gas-mask like machines and forced to inhale toxic substances.

Please thank Dr. Ingber at 617-919-2223 or don.ingber@wyss.harvard.edu. Researchers need to know we are behind GOOD research.

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Cruelty-free tanning... FUN in the SUN!


http://leapingbunny.org/sun.php

As you know, it is important to get enough sun for good health, but also to protect your skin from the risks of overexposure. Unfortunately, many commercial sunscreens are tested on animals. But we’ve got the low-down on some oh-so-fabulous sun products that will not only protect you — but that you can feel good about. Copy and past the link (http://leapingbunny.org/sun.php) to be taken to the full list of Leaping Bunny* certified sunscreens, and enjoy that beach time knowing you've made the humane choice to go cruelty-free even while working on your summer tan!

*The Leaping Bunny Program provides the best assurance that no new animal testing is used in any phase of product development by the company, its laboratories, or suppliers. NEAVS is a founding member of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC), which oversees the Program.

Group Tries To Stop Alamogordo Chimp Transfers

http://www.koat.com/news/24346286/detail.html

Advocates Say Chimps Should Remain Retired
ALAMOGORDO, N.M.
A local group said time is running out for chimpanzees living in Alamogordo.

Animal Protection New Mexico is trying to stop the transfer of chimpanzees living in Alamogordo to a testing site in Texas.

The organization said it just learned some of the chimps have already been shipped to Texas and said it is fighting to make sure the rest of the animals stay in Alamogordo.

"There is a battle under way to keep these chimpanzees in New Mexico," said Laura Bonar, with Animal Protection New Mexico. "There is no scientific, ethical or financial reason to send them back into research. Research with chimpanzees has not yielded great benefits for human health."

Animal Protection New Mexico wanted to halt the federal government's plan to transfer about 185 chimpanzees housed at the Alamogordo primate facility on the Holloman Air Force Base to a Texas lab for use in medical research.

The chimps haven't been experimented on since 2001.

"And now the government wants to move them back into invasive research? Even though they've served out country for decades? In fact, the oldest one is 53 and they usually live until 50 so it would be like sending your 100-year-old aunty in research," Bonar said.

Sen. Tom Udall got involved. Udall demanded that the National Institutes of Health explain why the primates are leaving.

Udall said he is concerned once the animals go so will the jobs of those taking care of the chimpanzees.

In a written response, the NIH cited space, cost and resources as motives for the move. There are already 15 chimps in Texas and early next year, the rest are slated to join them.

Action 7 News' calls to NIH were not returned.

Animal Protection New Mexico said New Mexico senators and representatives have the power to stop the transfer. The organization said it wants the chimps to be permanently retired and to be raised in an Alamogordo sanctuary.

Supporters claim the cost would be covered by federal money.

Governor Bill Richardson Supports Efforts to Save Alamogordo
Chimpanzees


http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press.php?id=1651


Governor Bill Richardson Supports Efforts to Save Alamogordo Chimpanzees

July 22, 2010


SANTA FE - Governor Bill Richardson today announced his support to
save the 202 chimpanzees at the Alamogordo Primate Facility on
Holloman Air Force Base who may be moved out of state to be used for
invasive research. The Governor sent a letter today to Francis S.
Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health, expressing his
concerns for the chimpanzees and the more than 40 jobs that will be
lost if the chimps are moved to Texas.

"This is an urgent situation and I am asking the National Institutes
of Health to permanently retire the 202 chimpanzees at the Alamogordo
Primate Facility so that they may not be used for invasive research.
New Mexico wants to save these chimpanzees who have already given so
much of their lives to the American public as part of medical research
studies," said Governor Bill Richardson.

Governor Richardson in a letter to NIH Director Francis Collins urges
the Institute to permanently retire all of the Alamogordo Primate
Facility chimpanzees, return the 15 chimpanzees that have already been
sent to Texas and convert the Facility into a sanctuary.

"The small community of Alamogordo stands to lose 42 jobs and millions
of federal dollars associated with the care of these chimpanzees
should they be moved to Texas," said Governor Bill Richardson. "There
is a compassionate and prudent alternative to the National Center for
Research Resources' plan and I feel strongly that we must save the
chimpanzees."

The chimps have been housed at the Alamogordo Primate Facility since
2001 and according to the agreement with Holloman; no research may be
conducted on the chimpanzees while at the Facility. Charles River
Laboratories, which operates the Alamogordo Primate Facility, is
contracted with the National Institutes of Health until May 2011. The
National Health Institute has announced plans to move all of the
chimpanzees to Texas where they will be used for invasive medical
research by early 2011. In recent weeks 15 of the 202 chimpanzees have
been moved to the Southwest National Primate Research Center in Texas.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Great Gifts for the Chimps/Superbes cadeaux pour les chimpanzés



Tons of great things for our theme days!!

Pails and brushes Pepper will just love to use to clean all of our windows

Lunch Bags for everyone.....

Friday, July 23, 2010

Gombe 50 years dedicated to the Chimps

Jane and Billy Jo

50 Years of Chimpanzee Research and Inspiration

2010 marks a monumental milestone for the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) and its founder, Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE. Fifty years ago, Goodall, who is today a world-renowned primatologist, conservationist and UN Messenger of Peace, first set foot on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, in what is now Tanzania’s Gombe National Park. The chimpanzee behavioral research she pioneered there has produced a wealth of scientific discovery, and her vision has expanded into a global mission to empower people to make a difference for all living things.

A Global Celebration of Jane Goodall’s
Pioneering Chimpanzee Research and
Inspiring Vision for Our Future

Read more......

http://www.janegoodall.org/gombe50



Saturday, July 17, 2010

Theo the baboon/Theo le babouin

Here is an adorable pictures of Theo simply sitting in his pool looking for peanuts!!

Voici une photo de Theo assis dans sa piscine à la recherche d'arachides!!

Pinata's for Yoko/La pinata de Yoko


On cleaning day we always try to have special days for the chimps with new and exciting ideas..it is not always easy, because, if there is not some amazing treat involved it never seems to be extremely exciting. But the pinata day was quite a hit. Chimps had fun tearing open the balls and plucking out each little treat that was itself individually wrapped.

Les journées de nettoyage, nous essayons toujours d'avoir des journées spéciales pour les chimpanzés avec de nouvelles idées excitantes... Ce n'est pas toujours facile puisque si nous n'avons pas de gâteries extraordinaires il semble que ce ne sera jamais un moment super excitant. Mais nous devons admettre que le jour de la pinata fut un grand succès. Les chimpanzés ont eu un malin plaisir à déchirer les boules et à sortir chaque petite surprise qui étaient elles aussi emballées individuellement.
Cross over tunnel from one play area to another...one of little man's favorite places to sleep or just relax during the day...

Here is Yoko with his pinata. He was quite excited and watched us place each one and knew that this was the one he wanted. It took him about 2 second to pop open the pinata and as he started foraging for some goodies he was constantly giving the pinata a little punch and swing. Too cute to watch...

Voici Yoko et sa pinata. Il était très excité et nous a regarder installer chacunes et il savait que celle-ci était celle qu'il voulait. Cela lui prit environ 2 secondes pour ouvrir la pinata et dès qu'il commença à brasser et chercher pour des surprises il donnait constamment un petit coup et le faisait tournoyer. Tellement adorable...

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Today is Mayas' Birthday

It is Mayas' birthday today she is 33 and has been spending most of her time with Toby Lately. They get along well, however, Maya likes to have her alone time and sometimes finds Toby a little overbearing with his constant watch over her every move... In the past couple of weeks there has been a lot of gardening going on around the chimp house and Maya loves to lie in the sky walk or sit in the top windows of the chimp house and observe all the action!! She also likes to get mad at anyone who dares drive under her sky walk...Maya loves to clean the windows with soapy water a little dish mop and occasionally a squeegee so if you would like to send presents for Maya....cleaning items would be a big hit...or possibly Adopt Maya on her birthday. http://www.adopt-a-chimp.com/

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Yokos' Birthday


Today is little mans' birthday . He turned 36 years old. Yoko has been doing great lately and as usual has a lot of energy. He is usually found bopping around the chimp house and he is definitely always up for a game of chase and tickle. Lately Yoko has been hanging out with Petra, Regis and this week Rachel wanted to join the group. It has been hot and humid out so Yoko usually chills out in a nice cool room during the day, he comes down for his afternoon tea then out the door he goes to make a huge bed on one of the highest platforms of the islands or in his favorite little house just underneith the platform!! If you know of someone that is always on the go, then Yoko would be a great guy to adopt for someone as a gift. http://www.adopt-a-chimp.com/

Yokos favourite position his little feet smacking together in the air!! What a guy....