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Win Scored for Young Chimpanzees -- Arthur and Phoenix

Joint Dismissal of Diamond Action, Inc.’s litigation against Greenville (NH) Wildlife Park allows NEAVS to place Young Chimpanzees in Florida Sanctuary

The CCCC family of chimps returned from the island to get a close look at the two new arrivals. They sat calmly and were interested in meeting Arthur and Phoenix. Arthur and Phoenix will become a part of the next group of individuals who are currently part of an introduction program. Plans are already underway to make a second island for them.

(continued . . .) The Laboratory Primate Advocacy Group (LPAG), an organization of individuals who have worked or are working in laboratories across the US, worked closely with NEAVS on Arthur and Phoenix’s behalf. Says Rachel Weiss, LPAG co-founder, “We know first hand the situation of chimpanzees in labs. Although the sale of Arthur and Phoenix seemingly spared them from the horrors of a laboratory, their fate as  entertainment chimps offered us no solace. We did all we could to help NEAVS in these efforts and we are all personally grateful for these very successful results.”

According to Capaldo, Coulston, in a desperate effort to acquire money, thought nothing of selling these — and it is believed three other — babies into the world of entertainment. The animal trainer and dealer who “brokered” the sale of Arthur and Phoenix is believed to have purchased an additional three young chimpanzees, approximately the same age as Arthur and Phoenix. NEAVS is continuing our investigations into their whereabouts.

In the short few months that Arthur and Phoenix were at Greenville, USDA inspection reports noted the lack of “environmental enhancement to promote psychological well-being.” The attending USDA vet noted, “Certain nonhuman primates shall be provided special attention. 2 year-old chimp noted rocking. This animal was obtained 11 days ago. The attending veterinarian needs to visit the facility and update the primate program.” That same USDA inspection report contained other non-compliance items (NCI) regarding records, the facilities in general and feeding for other animals now held at the park. A four month follow up inspection noted a repeat NCI for lack of a “written” or “completed” enhancement program. The July inspection also noted section 3.84 “cleaning, sanitization, housekeeping and pest control,” including “fly problem noted in the primate area.” Past inspection reports noted problems with the “structural strength” of certain enclosures for example, “outside cougar pen noted with roof sagging due to snow,” “drainage,” “feeding” for example, “boar pen noted with old spilled feed on ground,” “veterinary care,” “ space requirements” — for example, “1 leopard, about 7 months old, noted chained to the floor. The chain is about the length of the animal.”

In fact, the October 11th order of Judge Groff which allowed Arthur and Phoenix to be transferred out of Greenville stated that “the present living arrangements [at Greenville] will probably have a detrimental effect on their appropriate development and socialization,” an extremely important ruling.

“There has historically been a vicious cycle of abuse between the entertainment and research industries,” says Capaldo. “NEAVS investigations prepared in collaboration with the Fauna Foundation have shown that once young chimpanzees are less manageable and lose their ‘baby’ charm, many have been dumped to substandard roadside zoos or biomedical research laboratories. It is deeply disturbing to learn that Coulston had actually been selling young chimpanzees through a Hollywood animal dealer. Chimpanzees don’t belong on the stage, on TV, in movies, in commercials or in any way ‘performing’ and, certainly, they do not belong in biomedical research. Ending biomedical research on chimpanzees has growing and unprecedented support (based on both ethical and scientific arguments) throughout the world — even in the United States, despite vivisectors’ and the National Institutes of Health’s refusal to concede to the inevitable: the end of biomedical research on our next of kin.”

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