OSU should support the chimps at Chimp Haven
In a February 21, 2006, statement about OSU’s decision to close the Chimp Center and send the chimps to PPI (with over $300,000), Robert McGrath, Sr. Vice-President of Research, said, "At one point, we considered dividing the colony and shipping the older animals to the refuge but experts have advised seriously against dividing such a long-standing colony,” McGrath said. “We believe it is best for the animals' welfare to keep them together as a single social group.”
McGrath was right that it is in the best interests of the chimps to stay together, but he and OSU did nothing when Wally Swett separated them immediately and kept Darrell in solitary confinement and kept Emma and Harper away from the rest of the group.
Swett never planned on keeping the animals together, as he admitted even after the move. A November 18th Columbus Dispatch story says:
"Primarily Primates founder Wallace Swett said his attorney had tried to stop the transfer yesterday. He is looking at legal options for returning the OSU chimps to Texas. He said he had plans for the primates, including introducing Darrell to 'three girlfriends' and introducing the younger chimpanzees, Harper and Emma, to older ones."
Fortunately, Darrell, Sheba, Sarah, Harper and Emma are together. Darrell can be out in the sunshine whenever he wishes and Sarah has space to climb. Keeli and Ivy, right next door, will be reintegrated into the group soon.
Please write to OSU and tell them they owe it to the chimps to support them financially at Chimp Haven.
posted by Kermit's Community Blog at 9:55 PM
3 Comments:
I am just THRILLED about the chimps! But I want to know if Sally Boysen has reunited with them yet. Can you tell me? Thanks, Joby Abernathy
DAMN straight OSU should support OSU (not that it'll happen- they need the money to resod the football field- TWICE.)
-Bayliss, Columbus
WCPO- Cincinnati: University Will Pay For Care Of Research Chimps
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio State University says it will pay for the care of seven chimps it formerly used as research animals.
The animals caused a stir when former caregivers alleged the chimps were being mistreated at a Texas refuge the school sent them to in February.
Ohio State had promised to pay $72,000 to the Primarily Primates facility, but amid court battles over the chimps' care they were relocated to a chimpanzee retirement preserve in Louisiana last month.
Now the university says that it will help pay for their care, wherever they ultimately end up.
Representatives for the Louisiana preserve say the chimps are doing well there, but a judge could still order the animals be returned to the Texas facility.
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