Chimpanzee Abduction!!
Letter to Oprah Winfrey
Dear Oprah and Team
2 weeks ago, while babysitting my brother’s kids, I watched animal planet’s documentary about chimpanzees’ ability to learn so much more than we initially thought – and all the ramifications thereof! Called “Chimps – A Whisper Away from Us”.
I was intrigued by the behaviour of one of them and googled their names, found the professor in charge’s email and got in touch with her at Ohio State University (where the research had been taking place for the last 23 years).
(you can see that here: http://www.andrewboyd.co.nz/chimpanzeeabduction.htm )
On showing her (the professor’s) response to my email to my partner, his first response was: “Write to Oprah!”
These chimpanzees, though perhaps not kept in the most glamorous of accommodation, did have very “enriched” (zoo term) lives. However due to “funding issues”, two days after the documentary was aired in the States, they were bundled off to a zoo in Texas! (3-day truck ride). Now after a lifetime of daily stimulation, all they can look forward to now is sitting in a cage all day, staring at the odd visitor to the zoo now and then....
Its all a bit of a drama really and seems odd that someone on the other side of the world should be taking any notice at all, but really the whole thing has not been dealt with very satisfactorily. During the move one of the chimps (Kermit) died from a drug overdose (from the veterinarian!)
I think you could well be interested in a little follow up on this story, another interesting link to a site made by one of the research students is this one: www.kermitscommunity.com
This has all taken place over the last 30 days or so
Thanks for taking the time to read this email
Yours sincerely
Andrew Boyd
www.andrewboyd.co.nz
AndrewBoyd@xtra.co.nz
We admire the work you do Oprah, we salute you!
23 March 2006
Dear Andrew,
Thank you for your e-mail! Your message is important to us. Unfortunately, due to the volume of e-mail messages we receive every day, we cannot guarantee that you'll receive a personal response. Feel free to check out our Frequently Asked Questions for additional help.
http://www.oprah.com/tows/program/tows_prog_main.jhtml
Thanks again for writing to us!
Sincerely,
The Oprah.com Staff
www.oprah.com
Further links on the case:
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/chimpspics.htm
Primarily Primates (this is where they've ended up at this stage)
|
|
