Tragic Deja Vu

When the sad story of the transfer of the OSU chimps began, there were fatal mistakes made on the part of those responsible at the University and on the part of those responsible at PPI.

The death of Kermit, Bobby, and the disappearance and presumed death of Jane could have been prevented if well-trained individuals were involved in the transfer. As we at Kermit’s Community have said from the outset, the caregivers who the animals knew, trusted, and loved should have been allowed to help with the transition period. This is standard animal care practice and it is particularly important for highly sensitive and intelligent chimpanzees. Every compassionate individual who oversees chimpanzee care knows just how crucial a stable transition is for the well being of the animals. Every reputable chimpanzee facility allows (and some require) that there be a period of time in which departing caretakers introduce new caretakers. Many chimpanzee facilities require that caretakers accompany the chimps to the new environment to help with the transition.
PPI did not allow caretakers to accompany the nine chimps and 3 monkeys from OSU and Kermit and Bobby died. Three members of the board of PPI who condoned the conditions that led to these, and other deaths, as well as the person who funded the campaign to keep chimpanzees in tortured conditions and defended the neglect that led to Kermit and Bobby’s deaths are back in charge of PPI.

And what is the first thing they are doing? Violating basic standards of chimpanzee care and abruptly removing care takers, changing care practices, and thus creating unnecessary distress for the chimpanzees and other animals.

The state appointed receiver allowed the former care staff to remain at PPI, even when they were causing all sorts of difficulties for the new staff and volunteers. Lee Watt put the well-being of the animals first and allowed the former care staff to remain for a reasonable transition period.

Apparently, putting the well-being of the animals ahead of ideologies and personal or political vendettas is not what the new PPI board is interested in. They weren’t interested in it as they allowed chimpanzees to suffer, to starve, to remain isolated, and to perish – there is no evidence that they have changed. They may very well care about the concept of “animals,” but caring for actual individuals requires more than rhetoric.