Kermit's Community Blog

Remembering Kermit

2009-03-02T15:14:00.007-05:00

Kermit's death, 3 years ago, was tragic and unnecessary and those responsible are yet to acknowledge their mistakes; but we will forever remember Kermit's stoicism and gentle heart and those who love him will never forget how he changed their lives.

And although steps are being made to secure the future of Kermit's Community at Chimp Haven there must be legal documents that state that Primarily Primates, Inc. and Friends of Animals will never attempt to take these chimpanzees away from their home in Keithville, Louisiana. We can not allow the possibility of another preventable death to occur.

We love and miss you Kermit, with all of our hearts.

Kermit's Community safe at Chimp Haven for time being

2009-02-13T16:56:00.005-05:00

As the supporters of Kermit's Community we encourage Primarily Primates and Friends of Animals to formally announce and sign all necessary documents promising that these precious primates will never be taken away from their home at Chimp Haven.

After lawsuit, Chimp Haven gets to keep 6 residents

KEITHVILLE, LA (KSLA) - A major legal victory for Chimp Haven happened on Thursday. Sarah, Sheeba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma, all chimps, will live out their retirement at the Keithville sanctuary. The retired research chimps were seized by Texas authorities from Primary Primates in November 2006 because of poor conditions at the San Antonio facility. Primary Primates sued to get the chimps back, and a Bexar County District court ruled in their favor. But an appeals court has ruled that Bexar County Court did not have jurisdiction. A spokesperson for Primarily Primates says they will not pursue the matter any further.

To read the courts decision click here.

Could There Be Hope of Permanent Refuge for Kermit’s Community at Chimp Haven?

2008-06-04T23:03:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday June 4, 2008 Emma and Jackson, who were brief companions to Harper and Emma at PPI, were finally secured the future they deserve at Chimps Inc., in Bend, Oregon. These 2 chimpanzees as well as 9 gibbons, now retired at IPPL (International Primate Protection League), were a part of a legal battle similar to that involving Kermit’s Community. Thankfully, PPI/FoA have agreed to a settlement allowing these innocent animals to remain, permanently, at the respected sanctuaries. Click here to read more: http://www.kohd.com/article.aspx?id=39002

At PPI Emma and Jackson were housed in the small enclosure attached to the garage of Wally Swett’s house that Harper and Emma lived in for months before learning to escape the enclosure multiple times. This enclosure stood less that 8 feet high and had a substrate of pea gravel that reached temperatures exceeding 115 degrees. The indoor housing had no light, little ventilation and was literally caked with feces. The wooden door had a single padlock. The atypical behaviors exhibited by Emma and Jackson that were observed during the court appointed receivership shocked those who had even the most basic knowledge of chimpanzee behavior.

When the receiver was given the authority to move the animals that were in need of immediate rescue, Kermit’s Community, Emma and Jackson, and 12 gibbons were relocated to facilities better equipped to provide a lifetime of care. Thankfully Chimps Inc. opened their arms to Emma and Jackson and IPPL opened their doors to the gibbons.

Supporters of Kermit’s Community are encouraged by the actions taken by PPI/FoA and hope that the same respect for life is given to Sheba, Sarah, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma and the efforts to return them to PPI cease.

Caddo Parish Commissioners Pass Resolution of Support for Keithville Krewe (aka Kermit's Community)

2008-06-04T19:23:00.019-04:00

RESOLUTION

KEITHVILLE, La. — In an unprecedented show of faith and support for Chimp Haven, the Caddo Parish Commissioners passed a resolution May 8 supporting permanent residency for the “Keithville Krewe,” a group of six chimpanzees fighting to remain at the northwest Louisiana sanctuary.

Resolution Number 17 was introduced by District 11 Commissioner Jim Smith and District 4 Commissioner Matthew Lin acting on behalf of the citizens of Caddo Parish concerned about the health and welfare of the chimpanzees who have been living at Chimp Haven since November 2006.

“We are very thankful to the parish and the citizens of Caddo Parish for the support they have shown for the chimpanzees,” said Dr. Linda Brent, President and Director of Chimp Haven. “They have believed in us since the beginning and this just solidifies the faith they have in us as an organization and as an important part of this community.”

The resolution states that “Chimp Haven accepted responsibility for the lifetime care of the ‘Keithville Krewe,’ including costs associated with their transportation from Texas to Keithville, and that “the chimpanzees have now returned to good health and are functioning well in compatible social groups and spacious facilities.”

The resolution also goes on to say that, “the citizens of Caddo Parish are proud of their association with Chimp Haven and cherish all of the chimpanzees residing there,” and “that the Commission expresses its desire that the ‘Keithville Krewe’ remain permanent residents of Chimp Haven, the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary.” The resolution states that the Commission “supports the efforts of the Chimp Haven Board, the dedication of Chimp Haven supporters, and the continued health and well-being of all the chimpanzees at Chimp Haven.”

Kermit's Community featured on Good Morning America

2008-03-20T19:21:00.005-04:00

The former OSU chimpanzees (aka Kermit’s Community, aka The Keithville Krewe) who comfortably reside at Chimp Haven in Keithville, Louisiana will be featured on Good Morning America, Friday March 21, 2008!

Recently the lawsuit between Chimp Haven and Primarily Primates Inc. was dismissed however Chimp Haven has recently filed a motion for a new trial that would prevent the return of the six chimpanzees back to PPI. The chimps have found refuge at Chimp Haven and deserve to live the rest of their lives in peace. No amount of repair of restructuring of personnel can counteract the psychological and physical traumas the chimpanzees endured while housed at PPI. To return them to the facility that destroyed their livelihood would be nothing short of abusive and inhumane.

To learn how you can support the chimpanzees at Chimp Haven please visit http://www.chimphaven.org/temp-chimp.cfm or http://www.chimphaven.org

To view the segment on GMA visit: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=4494671

Chimp Haven vows to fight for Kermit's Community

2008-03-19T17:19:00.007-04:00

Chimp Haven to Fight for Welfare of Rescued Chimpanzees

Wed Mar 19, 2008
KEITHVILLE, La. – The Chimp Haven Board of Directors made a decision to fight the ruling of a Texas judge that granted a motion for summary judgment, filed by Primarily Primates Inc., that would send six chimpanzees back to the San Antonio facility. On Friday, March 14, 2008, Chimp Haven filed a motion for a new trial. Sarah, Keeli, Ivy, Sheba, Harper and Emma were removed from Primarily Primates in November, 2006 at the request of the Texas State Appointed Receiver and transferred Chimp Haven where they could receive the care and housing they needed. The chimpanzees were reunited with their family group immediately and have enjoyed expansive enclosures, intensive care, a well balanced diet and health care at Chimp Haven. “Chimp Haven stepped forward to help these chimpanzees in need, and we will not turn our back on them now” said Dr. Linda Brent, Chimp Haven President and Director. “Our only goal has been to ensure the best future for the chimpanzees.” Primarily Primates was seized by the Texas State Attorney’s office on October13, 2006 on allegations of mismanagement of charitable funds and animals living in substandard conditions. Chimp Haven was asked to accept the chimpanzees since they were in need of medical attention, had inadequate housing and immediate intervention was required.

In April, 2007 the Texas Attorney General settled the case against Primarily Primates. Primarily Primates was joined by Friends of Animals, who funded their legal battles. They subsequently sued Chimp Haven for return of their “property”, alleging that the transfer was temporary. Chimp Haven, however, accepted the lifetime responsibility for the chimpanzees, including all the costs of their transportation and care. Primarily Primates will not agree to an independent assessment of what is in the best interests of the chimpanzees.

“They are doing so well here physically and socially, and are in a group where the youngsters have adult role models and the older females have companions. It would surely be detrimental to them to be moved again after all they have endured”, Brent said. Chimp Haven would like to thank the public as well as the animal welfare agencies and organizations for the tremendous outpouring of support. To help keep the Keithville Krewe home at Chimp Haven, visit our website www.chimphaven.org for details.

Visit http://www.chimphaven.org/temp-chimp.cfm for video, pictures and information on how you support Kermit's Community (aka Keithville Krewe) and prevent them from returning to Primarily Primates.

2nd Anniversary of the Loss of Kermit's Community

2008-02-27T18:28:00.005-05:00

Two years ago today Kermit’s Community was taken from their home at OSU and became the “property” of Primarily Primates, Inc. When they arrived in Texas, PPI was not prepared to deal with them and Kermit died before he was even taken out of his transport cage and Jane (a capuchin monkey) escaped never to be seen again. Darrell was separated from the group and kept in solitary confinement in the dark (we will never know what possible physiological damage such stress and despair ultimately caused him). Emma and Harper were separated from the adult members of their family. Sarah and Sheba stopped eating and began losing dangerous amounts of weight. Bobby eventually stopped eating and his heart gave out.

The chimpanzees were finally rescued and brought to Chimp Haven after their 8 month ordeal. They now live with seven new friends in a huge play yard where they can climb high and have no bars over their heads.

But Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma are in danger again as PPI and their supporters from Friends of Animals are trying to reclaim their “property” and put them back behind bars. They are threatening to separate the group again too.

It is hard to see how the best interest of animals matters to these people. In fact, due to their actions and the company they keep, it is not unreasonable to believe that they don’t really care about animals, especially Kermit's Community who they continue to treat as pawns.

During the summer of 2006, as these chimpanzees and over 60 others were suffering at PPI, the director of PPI roasted a pig on the grounds of the refuge to serve as food during a meeting of the PPI board.

PPI, and their partners, Friends of Animals, are allied with Earle Holland of OSU, the spokesperson who defends the use of thousands of animals in experiments every year and explained away the death of over 600 animals from a heating malfunction that very same summer. (link to http://www.poetwill.org/osu_research2.htm)

Write to the Board of Directors of PPI and Friends of Animals and let them know what you think of their treating Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma like property and supporting those who defend killing animals.

Sally Malanga, Secretary/Treasurer

Carol Fleischmann, Chairperson

Dianne Forthman, Vice President
777 Post Road
Suite 205
Darien, CT 06820

New photos of Kermit's Community at Chimp Haven

2008-01-25T16:52:00.001-05:00

The devastating loss of Darrell surely had a profound effect on the remaining members of Kermit’s Community and will continue to effect them for the coming months. Fortunately new photographs of Kermit’s’ Community were recently posted on Chimp Haven’s website along with the 7 new group members who were introduced to KC’s community shortly before Darrell’s death. Hopefully the new friends will provide some comfort although Darrell’s presence can never be replaced. Please visit http://www.chimphaven.org/view-album-meet.cfm?id=83 to view the new photos of KC’s. We have provided the number and name of the member of Kermit’s Community in each photo below. We will continue to provide updates on the status and well being of the member of Kermit’s Community and remain committed to ensuring that the chimps receive the quality of care that they deserve under all circumstances.

Photos located in ‘New Arrivals and New Groups’ folder:
2.Harper w/ male 5.Harper w/male 6.Harper w/male 7.Harper & Emma in trees 8.Emma 9.Emma in tree 10.Keeli 11.Harper grooming male 12. Emma being groomed 13. Ivy being groomed 14. Ivy 15. Ivy 16. Ivy 17. Keeli 19. Sarah being groomed
20. Sarah lying down being groomed, Sheba (2nd from right) grooming 22. Harper 23. Ivy 24. Ivy inspecting Sarah 25.Sarah and Harper 26. Sarah 27. Sarah 28. Sheba under blanket 29. Sheba (back facing), Sarah (to Sheba’s right) being groomed
30. Sheba grooming male

Dismissal of Lawsuit

2008-01-24T19:31:00.000-05:00

Recently the court case on behalf of the former OSU primates was dismissed. The lawsuit was funded by PETA and was aimed at providing immediate relief to the 9 chimpanzees and 3 monkeys shipped from OSU to Primarily Primates Inc. The plaintiffs included the 11 primates, 2 former caregivers of the OSU primates and a veterinarian. This lawsuit helped uncover the horrific hoarding conditions at Primarily Primates Inc. and the neglect of hundreds of innocent animals. Had it not been initiated there is no doubt that the suffering at PPI would have continued and dozens more innocent lives would have been lost.

Friends of Animals continues to misrepresent information and the intentions of those who continue to seek the best possible care for the same animals that were neglected while housed at Primarily Primates. For FoA to claim to have any knowledge of the lives of the former OSU primates while housed at OSU or while housed at Primarily Primates prior to receivership is misleading and irresponsible.

The evidence of the neglect at PPI is clear and cannot be disproved. The time, energy and resources of FoA and PPI should be solely focused on those lives directly under their care. Instead they are suing Chimp Haven and fighting against other sanctuaries and facilities to reclaim all of their “property”.

Ultimately what was best for Kermit’s Community was realized as former caregivers were permitted to provide the care necessary to rehabilitate the members of Kermit’s Community and help them transition to their new life at Chimp Haven.

To return the remaining members of Kermit’s Community to the facility that destroyed their family would constitute nothing short of abuse and cruelty. No amount of repair or construction at Primarily Primates could ever repair the psychological and emotional damage caused to such innocent animals when dumped at PPI.

In Memory of Darrell

2008-01-09T20:31:00.000-05:00

On January 4th, 2008 Kermit's Community suffered yet another devastating and shocking loss when Darrell passed away at Chimp Haven. He was 28 years old.

After witnessing the death of his best friend Kermit, then being ripped from his family and locked away for 8 traumatic months in solitary confinement at Primarily Primates Inc., Darrell was finally reunited with Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma at Chimp Haven in November of 2006. He quickly assumed the alpha role, formerly occupied by Kermit, and then Bob, and looked after the remaining members of KC's while getting to know his new surroundings and caregivers. His death will surely affect Kermit's Community as much as it will the humans he trusted and loved. We can only hope that the remaining members of KC's will receive the extra special attention and care they will need to cope with Darrell's death.

Darrell was a people pleaser; this side of him became over-exaggerated during months alone at PPI; perhaps thinking that if he was on his best behavior someone might let him out of his concrete box. This side effect carried over into his disposition at Chimp Haven, but his resilience and kindness never faltered. Surely 14 months at Chimp Haven was far better for him than one more day of imprisonment at PPI.

Although the news of Darrell's death comes with great sorrow, his life was full of love and laughter. During his 23 years of life at OSU Darrell spent every night with Kermit and virtually everyday engaging in games of chase, playing with the youngsters and being groomed by the females. He loved to paint and would use gentle brush strokes to create many a masterpiece before relaxing in the sun or flipping through his favorite magazines. His impressive charging displays were not for the faint of heart (often terrifying the biggest of men!) and his ability to quickly read other's intentions was remarkable. He loved to groom his caregivers at every given chance and engage them in games of tag and his own form of patty cake.

Darrell had extra special bonds with Sheba, Emma and of course Kermit. Sheba and Darrell bonded as toddlers at OSU and Sheba grew to love and respect Darrell tremendously. Not a day would pass without Sheba spending as much time grooming Darrell as he would allow. Even when little Emma was 3 years old she was never afraid of Darrell; she often hung from her arms, dangling her feet in his face, or would throw her body into his lap, begging for a quick tickle. In the evenings, before dinner, Darrell and Kermit would often be heard laughing uncontrollably as they pulled on each other's feet and hands in a kind of tug-o-war, excited for the upcoming feast.

Darrell was a remarkable individual and an irreplaceable part of Kermit's Community. His life will never be forgotten and his strength should be revered by all.

Standing up to PPI/FoA Primate Abuse

2007-07-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

Emma at Chimps, Inc.

Recently a lawsuit was filed against PPI to prevent the return of animals to the substandard hoarding facility in TX. Chimp Inc. IPPL (who rescued the gibbons) and another individual (who rescued a steer) are seeking to prevent PPI/FoA from harming the rescued animals.

PPI/FoA has sent letters to all the animal rescuers demanding they return the animals to PPI or risk being sued. These threats and other statements made by the unfit management of PPI makes it clear that they do not have the interests of animals as their top priority. Those running PPI complain that they are being unfairly attacked. Sadly, this complaint reveals part of the problem. This is not about them, it is about the well-being of the primates they pledged to care for and instead betrayed.

As PPI/ FoA attempt to have their “property” returned to them one has to wonder why 20 animals are being singled out. Perhaps it is because they think they can use these animals for fund-raising. Or maybe they are trying to make a political point.

But using chimpanzees and other animals for one’s own agenda contradicts what FoA was supposed to be committed to, ending animal use. Moving the animals back to PPI constitutes abuse. Why did FoA become an institution of animal use and abuse?

Everyone who knows even just a little bit about chimpanzees recognizes that they are highly sensitive and intelligent individuals who remember the places where they were harmed and the faces of those who abused them. Transport itself is deeply distressing. Since Darrell, Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper, Emma, and Jackson and Emma are being well cared for now, why is PPI/FoA threatening to subject them to trauma, stress, and emotional pain? Lee Hall on behalf of PPI/FoA claims they are not doing this lightly. But why do it at all? It is not in the best interest of any of the animals.

If PPI/FoA really cared about animals, as they used to claim to, they would thank the rescuers and get on with the task of caring for the hundreds of animals they now hold captive.

Chimpanzee Enculturation

2007-06-18T18:58:00.000-04:00

Whatever one's ethical/political position about using chimpanzees in cognitive studies, it is undeniable that the former OSU chimpanzees have shed light onto the chimpanzee mind. The recent publication “Raking it in: the impact of enculturation on chimpanzee tool use” shows how living in a highly enriching, socially stimulating environment can enhance the mental capabilities of our closest living relatives.

The paper (which appeared in Animal Cognition and was based on data collected before it was submitted in June 2005) establishes that the “enculturated” OSU chimpanzees outperform both sanctuary raised chimps and typical lab chimps on a tool-use task, while the sanctuary-raised chimps only outperform the lab chimps.

This research supports the view that the former OSU individuals are quite different from other chimpanzees, a view that is shared by most people familiar with the range of chimpanzee behaviors and personalities and who have the pleasure of meeting Darrell, Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma.

While housed at OSU, the chimps were immersed in human culture and encouraged to actively engage with their captive environment. Their caregivers treated them as intentional beings. The chimps lived in mini fission-fusion groups to promote social interactions, received enrichment as often as three times a day, and had a diet full of fruits and vegetables. Their needs were carefully monitored and attended to, and they were given the respect that they deserve as unique thinking and feeling individuals.

The quality of life the chimps had at OSU was on an altogether different order than that of a typical lab chimp and far superior to the care given to chimps at “pseudo sanctuaries” such as PPI, where ideologies, rather than chimpanzee needs and interests, set the standards of care.

PPI did not believe in enrichment, did not provide the chimps with fruits and vegetables and believed the animals should be left alone. Their failure to attend to the differences between chimpanzees -- differences that result from various experiences in assorted environments and can generate unique sensitivities -- is a form of negligence that ultimately led to Bobby’s death and the death of others.

Excellent captive chimpanzee care begins with understanding chimpanzees as individuals who have different personalities, different responses to their experiences and very different kinds of experiences. It requires an ability to see each chimp for who he or she is, not as some projection of an idea of what chimpanzees should be. Excellent care requires adopting a flexible approach to caring for these unique animals. It requires time, it requires patience, it requires openness to the expertise of others, and it requires a set of commitments that has yet to emerge from the new PPI.

Building a new enclosure does not constitute excellent, not even minimally appropriate, care for the OSU chimpanzees. Indeed, that the new PPI is threatening to sue to move them back to a place where they were traumatized for 8 months suggests that the current board at PPI, much like the old PPI, does not appreciate what caring for individual chimpanzees means.

Thankfully the former OSU chimps are safe and well cared for at Chimp Haven, a facility that understands chimpanzees and truly strives for excellence in chimpanzee care.

***********************************************
Happy Birthday Keeli (11) and Emma (7)

Accountability?

2007-05-04T14:24:00.000-04:00

Priscilla Feral, the President of Friends of Animals and new head of the board of PPI claims “there will be accountability”.

But to whom will these people be accountable? And why, given their failures for over a decade, should anyone believe that they will now suddenly become accountable?

In a letter Feral wrote to Wally Swett over 15 years ago that was entered into evidence with the court, Feral admits to covering up for Swett’s substance abuse and mental health problems. She also raises concerns about the bad influence Stephen Tello was having (and now she is claiming he is most qualified to run PPI). Feral wrote:

“When you had 300 animals, I was worried that you wouldn’t draw the line. Now there are 500 and as long as Stephen is involved, there seems to be no stopping you, yet I sit in fear that all hell will break loose in February and that Stephen’s behavior toward you will have everything to do with it.”

Feral was aware of the decline at PPI long before the OSU chimps and monkeys were sent there and the heroic efforts to reform PPI began, but apparently was not accountable.

A court appointed independent inspector in May 2006 reported that:

“In 1999, 32 Air Force chimps were brought to Primarily Primates and today there are only 16 on site, a 50% loss in 7 years.

In the last 3 years, 11 chimps have died… that is a 18% death loss for chimps alone, which is higher than would be expected. During this 3 year period there have been about 124 deaths of mammals, mostly monkeys, and not including birds, which at the estimate of 800 animals, comes to 15.5% per year death loss.”

Two of the board members as well as Tello and Feral must have known of these tragic losses, but were not accountable.

Friends of Animals itself does not meet all of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for Charitable Accountability!

If evidence from past behavior is any indication, there is very little reason to believe these people will be accountable for their actions – and it is the animals who will suffer.

Chimpanzees are not "high" or "low" value Commodities!

2007-05-02T19:17:00.000-04:00

Expert testimony, legal affidavits, video and photographic documentation, and on site accounts by dozens of people have indicated that there are serious problems at PPI, problems that will be expensive to correct. Friends of Animals apparently has already spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses and will hopefully be spending much more so that PPI can be brought up to contemporary sanctuary standards.

But apparently they are focused on reclaiming what they have called “high-value animals.” Even if that reclamation leads to chimpanzee pain and in the case of Sarah and Sheba, possible death.

Bringing the former OSU chimpanzees back to the place where they experienced so much trauma will cause them severe distress and unnecessary suffering.

In a letter to the Judge, Dr. Jane Goodall stated:
“I understand that the Attorney General has even promised to use his best efforts to return the seven surviving former Ohio State University (“OSU”) chimpanzees to Primarily Primates. I believe that the safety and welfare of these animals would be jeopardized by disrupting their rehabilitation at Chimp Haven which, as I understand, has been going extremely well.

To remove these sentient beings from what is reported to be a sensitive and caring facility to another facility where the conditions, I understand, are not as good would, in my opinion, subject them to unacceptable levels of psychological stress.”

She goes on to say “Any transport at all is a highly stressful experience for chimpanzees, even one which moves them to a peaceful and pleasant environment. For the OSU animals to have to suffer yet another move again may very well subject them to yet more trauma, which is a senseless outcome. The well-being of these courageous survivors must now be taken into consideration.”

In addition, the move will take space and resources away from the animals that are already at PPI and those animals need everything they can get. And it will be even more expensive for PPI. Darrell, Sarah, Sheba, Emma, Harper, Ivy and Keeli are safe and comfortable at Chimp Haven. There is absolutely no possibility they will be sent to research as they are not covered under the CHIMP Act. Moving them back to PPI doesn’t make economic sense and it doesn’t make ethical sense.

After everything the "Magnificent 7" have been through it is heartbreaking to think that they may once again be betrayed and used as pawns, rather than respected as sentient, intelligent independently valuable beings.

Tragic Deja Vu

2007-04-29T13:21:00.000-04:00

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.

In Memory of Bobby

2007-04-20T20:23:00.000-04:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of Bobby's death.

Bobby was shipped to Primarily Primates from his home at The Ohio State University Chimpanzee Center on March 1, 2006 with the rest of Kermit's Community. After the incompetent transfer that led to Kermit's death, Bobby, Sarah, Sheba, Ivy and Keeli were separated from Harper and Emma (who were taken to Wally Swett's backyard enclosure) and from Darrell (who was put in solitary confinement in a small dark indoor cage). Less than two months after this traumatic move, Bobby was found dead. Although the former director of PPI, Wally Swett, pinned his death on a "heart condition," much like many who try to cover-up their responsibility for otherwise unexplained chimpanzee deaths, Bob's necropsy report suggests that Bobby's heart failed because he was starving. After seeing video footage of Bobby four weeks after he arrived at PPI, his former caretakers reported that he had lost over 60 lbs. Bobby was given no medical attention even though a PPI staff member noticed that he was lethargic in the days leading up to his death. The special instructions sent to PPI from his former caretakers regarding his sensitive nature were ignored and the 6 weeks he spent at PPI were filled with confusion, despair, and literal heartbreak. His death was slow, painful, and unnecessary. The people who starved Bobby to death and caused him to die of a broken heart claim to be friends of animals. Bobby, and all the chimps at PPI, don't need those sorts of "friends."

Bobby was a remarkable individual -- everyone who met him immediate noticed just how unique he was. He was extraordinarily intelligent, mastering over 60 English words that he would breeze through on his computer touch-frame. He taught the other chimps how to solve problems. He was a fantastic artist, who enjoyed making paintings and eating paint. He was an active member of the group, his displays were the longest, loudest, and most rhythmical of any of Kermit's Community members. Yet, Bobby was the gentlest, most compassionate individual. He was sweet, loving, and completely trusting. He would blow kisses to caretakers and flirt with visitors. He trusted and respected those around him and he was betrayed. His death will always weigh especially heavy on the hearts of those who knew and loved Bob, because he truly was special. We owe it to this beautiful, extraordinary being to make sure the abuse and neglect Bobby suffered at the hands of the ignorant and arrogant never happens again.

In Memory of Kermit

2007-03-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

On March 1, 2006 a life was cut short. It was the life of a remarkable individual named Kermit who was loved by many, humans and chimpanzees alike.

Kermit stood over 5 feet tall. His generous heart and his magnificent presence were just as large as his body. He was the alpha male of a group of 9 chimpanzees. He was a gentle giant who often enlisted his right hand man, Darrell, to do the dirty work of leading a group of chimpanzees. Kermit would rather make his intentions known by simply shifting his large body. While nothing escaped his perception, even the inappropriate behavior of Ivy and others, he was always fair. Although Kermit showed a face of stern self-assurance, he often let his guard down, playing with his favorite boots, delicately tickling little Emma, doing the "Kermie dance," and grooming with his most trusted caregivers. Those who met Kermit were always in awe of his size, intimidated by his displays, and captivated when they saw his soft side. He was often seen with his thumb in his mouth while watching television. He was a proud yet vulnerable and sensitive chimpanzee who just wanted everyone in his family to get along.

On February 27, 2006, Kermit and the rest of his chimpanzee family were loaded onto a truck and shipped to a facility that was unable to care for them and would not admit it. When the chimps arrived at this horrible place outside of San Antonio, TX, on March 1, an unqualified veterinarian improperly sedated Kermit and then left him unattended in his small transport cage. Kermit’s head slumped over and he suffocated. Kermit trusted people to care for him and in the end he was betrayed. The people responsible have yet to accept responsibility. Until all humans recognize that the lives of chimpanzees have value independent of people’s self-interests, ideological commitments, or egos, more unnecessary deaths will occur. Kermit’s death was preventable and tragic. Kermit’s Community will never be the same without him.

On this first anniversary of Kermit’s death, we remember the wonderful things about Kermit’s life and are heartened that his death was not in vain. A committed and diverse coalition of chimpanzee advocates came together to work to improve the conditions that led to Kermit and ultimately Bobby’s death. We hope that the loss of such wonderful beings will continue to spark important changes in the care of captive chimpanzees.

Happy Birthday Bobby!!

2007-02-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

Today Bobby would have been 20 years old.

He should have been enjoying his 20th birthday lounging in the grass in the Louisiana sun, tumbling around with Harper and Emma, chasing Keeli, and keeping an eye on Darrell. Unfortunately, Bobby wasn't given the care and consideration that he deserved during his last 6 weeks of life at PPI. He was neglected, he suffered, and then Bob died while Wally Swett was in charge. Bobby had the biggest heart and was the gentlest soul. His life was full of laughter and kisses and he touched the hearts of so many. Although Bobby is missed tremendously his death will not be forgotten and will not be in vain.

On this, his birthday, let's celebrate Bobby, our good memories of him, and remember that there are other chimpanzees in the U.S. who might not see their next birthdays due to inappropriate housing and low standards of care. We must continue to speak for our chimpanzee friends and work together to provide them all with the best captive care possible. It is what they all deserve.

We love and miss you Bob-a-roo!

OSU Doing Nothing to Help (again)

2006-12-11T16:54:00.000-05:00

Next week, in Austin, TX, there will be a court hearing to allow Darrell, Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma to make Chimp Haven their permanent home. Although many people and organizations have spent a large amount of time, energy, and money cleaning up the mess that OSU created when they dumped the chimps and monkeys at the dilapidated, substandard PPI facility, OSU continues to turn their back on the animals that served them for over 20 years. OSU failed to heed warnings from numerous international experts. They failed to investigate when Kermit and Bobby died. They did nothing as reports of the deteriorating conditions were presented to the courts and the media. Now that the chimpanzees have been transferred to Chimp Haven, that provides a beautiful home, expert veterinary care, and has reunited the chimps with one another in their original group, OSU maintains their silence and refuses to even send a letter of support to the court. The chimps have been rescued and relocated to the country's premiere chimpanzee sanctuary at private expense. OSU could support their permanent retirement to this exceptional facility, but they continue to sit quietly and watch from the side-lines. It is long past time for them to step up!

Please call President Karen Holbrook at (614) 292-2424 and urge her to do the right thing for the chimpanzees and for OSU. OSU should support the permanent relocation of the chimps to Chimp Haven by communicating with the court and by providing funds to Chimp Haven.

Reunion, Rejoicing, Relief

2006-11-30T16:50:00.000-05:00

Darrell, Sarah, Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma are together again!

(The picture here, taken by Chimp Haven behaviorist Amy Fultz, shows Darrell being touched by Harper and groomed by Sheba. To see more pictures, click here.)

Chimpanzees, like humans, are highly social beings. This aspect of chimpanzee life was the first thing commented upon by the people who originally studied chimps in captivity and in the wild. Providing healthy social environments for captive chimpanzees is critically important for their well-being. They provide each other with support, with stimulation, they learn from each other, and together they can exhibit species-typical behaviors, they can be chimpanzees.

But introducing chimpanzees to one another or re-introducing them after they have been separated is a very complex and often dangerous process. This is particularly so if they experienced additional trauma and distress while separated or isolated, as the former OSU chimps did while at PPI. That the newly dubbed “magnificent seven” were re-introduced without incident and with great playfulness is a tribute to the expertise of the Chimp Haven staff.

OSU should support the chimps at Chimp Haven

2006-11-20T21:55:00.000-05:00

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.

Recooperating at Chimp Haven

2006-11-19T14:54:00.001-05:00

Keeli and Ivy were playing chase with Stephany and Klaree yesterday, familiarizing themselves with their new home. The negative effects of months living on concrete, in relatively small enclosures, are becoming apparent. But everyone expects the chimps will fully recover. This weekend was spent exploring, and mostly just relaxing in a state of comfortable relief from their ordeal.

Meanwhile, new revelations about the depth of the problems at PPI were reported in a news story today.

A genuine haven...

2006-11-17T22:16:00.000-05:00

Sarah and Sheba were the first to enter their new HUGE indoor/outdoor enclosure. When Harper and Emma timidly entered next, Sheba was especially overjoyed. Together Sheba and Harper motioned to the care staff to let Darrell in and when Darrell emerged he began "laughing." He quickly surveyed the surroundings and he and Harper hugged and hugged. Then as Darrell ran around the enclosure, Harper followed him, grooming every chance he got. Meanwhile, Emma and Sarah climbed to the very top of the very high enclosure. Keeli and Ivy are right next door, and Ivy is poking sticks at Harper and Emma, being the little trouble maker that she is. As you can see here, early worries that Sheba might be so traumatized from her experience at PPI that she wouldn't be able to recover have been put to rest -- her reunion with Stephany and Klaree last month brought her back to health and prepared her for a wonderful reunion with her chimp family today in this remarkable Chimp Haven.

RESCUED! The chimps are safe at Chimp Haven!

2006-11-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

After over 8 terrifying months, during which time Darrell was kept in solitary confinement, Sheba and Sarah nearly starved, and all of the chimps were cruelly neglected, the ordeal at PPI has finally ended for the former OSU chimpanzees.

Mid-day yesterday, November 16, an expert team from Chimp Haven began loading the chimps onto a transport truck. Darrell was the first to be moved from his dark cell. He seemed to know something good was happening. Sarah was next, then Sheba, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma. Their initial reunion on the truck was full of excitement.

(This is Harper waiting to leave PPI)

They were escorted off the property and out of San Antonio by the sheriff and arrived at their new home late last night.

Chimp Haven is the very best place for Kermit's Community. OSU should have sent them there originally, and if they had, Kermit and Bobby would still be alive. Thankfully, Linda Brent and her board of directors came through for the chimps. We must now support their permanent, life-long care at this marvelous, genuine sanctuary and help raise funds to rescue more of the chimps from PPI. A special "Emergency Rescue Fund" has been established at Chimp Haven -- click here:

Food Enrichment!!

2006-11-05T12:11:00.000-05:00

Everybody knows how smart chimpanzees are and the former OSU chimps, because of their enculturated upbringing and cognitive training, are smarter than most other chimps. Being left alone with nothing to do and no enrichment was particularly harmful to them, but not just them. All the chimpanzees kept at PPI were harmed by being neglected and kept in environments without any enrichment. The conditions at PPI, before the AG stepped in, caused both physical and psychological suffering to these highly sensitive great apes.

Now all of the chimps at PPI get food enrichment. Every day they are given “forage” which allows them to simulate natural food gathering activity. The OSU chimps have “dippy buckets" again (Ivy, Keeli, and Darrell are pictured here with their buckets).

In 1985, the US Congress passed an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act that required that captive primates be kept in environments that promoted their “psychological well-being." In the last 20 years, there has been a lot of work done to devise ways to enrich captive environments to promote primate mental health. Sanctuaries, zoos, and even biomedical research facilities have created enrichment programs to minimize boredom, frustration, aggression, and depression. Chimpanzees prefer to work for food rather than receive identical food day in and day out. Food enrichment provides chimps with a small sense of control over their captive environments and this is important to their overall well-being.

PPI, unlike most places where captive chimps are kept, denied the chimpanzees even this small dignity.

Chimps are Finally Getting Proper Care

2006-10-31T11:51:00.000-05:00

While it is probably true that the 3 caretakers who were employed by PPI prior to the Attorney General’s intervention “loved” the animals, they had less than 18 months combined experience caring for primates. The consulting veterinarian that was hired by PPI in June 2006, had not worked with primates for over 25 years. And while Wally Swett and Stephen Tello did have experience, their ideological commitments prevented them from acknowledging changing standards for how to appropriately care for chimpanzees.

For example, Sarah (above) is an enculturated chimpanzee who has been engaged with people in cognitive tasks for over 40 years. She was the first chimp to be taught a symbolic language. (Washoe was taught sign language just before Sarah, and then she and Lana, who lives in Atlanta, were taught symbolic languages). Sarah was the chimpanzee who led psychologists to ask the question “Do chimpanzees have a theory of mind?” Sarah’s intelligence has been the most comprehensively studied of all chimpanzees in cognitive research. Whether you approve of how Sarah has spent her life or not, the fact is that Sarah is highly dependent on regular human stimulation and enrichment. Sarah was denied this at PPI while Swett and then Tello were in charge – she had no transition period, had nothing to occupy her mind, and was literally being bored to death.

Now she has comfortable nesting material, books and magazines to look through, and she and all the chimps are getting proper care. In addition to Stephany and Klaree who have a combined 11 years experience caring for the former OSU primates, and Mel Richardson, D.V.M, with over 20 years of experience in the veterinary care of exotic animals, including chimpanzees and other primates, primate experts from around the country have flown to Texas to assist and others have been consulted to ensure that all the primates at PPI get the care they deserve.

Since the AG took over, every day all the primates at PPI are getting fresh produce, clean beddings, and forage. The neighbors who live closest to the facility are reporting that it is quieter than its ever been.

But, even though there are now experienced chimpanzee caregivers tending to the former OSU chimps and the other 65 chimps at PPI, it will still be in the best interest of all the chimpanzees to be moved to genuine sanctuaries. At true sanctuaries the facilities are safe for human and non-human primates alike; the highest standards of sanitation and animal management are followed; and trained caretakers, primate veterinarians, and experts on chimpanzee behavior are permanently available to oversee the chimps’ physical and psychological well-being in environments that are better suited for their life-long care.

Chimpanzee Situation is "Unimaginably Awful"

2006-10-23T19:58:00.000-04:00

This is Harper in June 2005 while at OSU. Before being sent to PPI, he and Emma played outdoors daily. (picture on left by LG 2005)

Since early September Harper and Emma have been locked indoors in a tiny, dark, rat and roach infested enclosure. (picture on right by KB October 18, 2006)

Yesterday, October 22, was the first time they were outdoors in 6 weeks. They were extremely happy and it made going back into their filthy enclosure more tolerable. Today they were running and playing outdoors all day and we can only hope that they sleep well tonight. They must be moved to a true sanctuary soon so they can begin to forget their horrible ordeal at PPI.

Former Caregivers now Cleaning Up OSU’s Mess

2006-10-21T23:09:00.000-04:00

Since they loaded 9 chimps and 3 capuchin monkeys onto a truck in late February 2006, Stephany Harris and Klaree Boose have appealed to everyone they could think of to fulfill the commitment they made to care for these animals. They were told by OSU officials that the chimps were going someplace better to retire, then Kermit died before he was even unloaded from his transport cage. They repeatedly asked OSU administrators to follow standard primate care protocol and allow them to help the chimps with this major transition. OSU wanted to wash their hands of it. They offered to care for the animals free of charge at PPI for a few months while the chimps adjusted. Wallace Swett, then director of PPI, refused and then Bobby died. They joined a lawsuit funded by PETA and through their testimony helped convince a court appointed trustee that the animals should be moved to a true sanctuary, but then the judge threw the case out of court claiming they didn’t have standing.

Now they are standing in years of accumulated filth, cleaning up other people’s tragic messes. After 7 frightening months, they have finally been reunited with the 7 remaining chimpanzees and two capuchins who were dumped by OSU and neglected by PPI. But there is a lot of work that still must be done -- every day the chimps stay at PPI their suffering continues.

Harris says “I have alternated between insomnia and nightmares since I first saw the conditions at PPI on June 30th. At that time Sarah, Sheba, and Rain looked like they were on the verge of death. After being back here for just under a week, I can now see that the conditions are far worse than I even imagined. There is simply no way to get this place clean. None of the animals should be living in these conditions.”

Harris and Boose have been focused on comforting and reviving the chimpanzees they have worked with for 6 years. Darrell, who is almost 27 years old, has been alone in a small, hot cage with no light since arriving at PPI in March. He has become more alert and engaged since Harris and Boose arrived but he is also confused, he needs to be reunited with his chimpanzee family. Since early September, Emma and Harper, who are both 7 years old and youngest of the former OSU animals, have been locked in a rodent and roach infested indoor cage that is ¼ the size of Darrell’s, roughly 5 feet wide by 15 feet deep. Boose said “Chimps, especially youngsters, need space to play. At OSU, Emma and Harper ran around in woods, climbed trees, and did summersaults in the grass. Even though they have hay on the floor of the cage and have toys to play with, their psychological well-being depends on their being moved to a real sanctuary.” Sarah too has been locked in a small, substandard enclosure that gives her very little room to move. Harris says, “Sarah is in her 40s and it is important for her physical health for her to get exercise.”

Sheba, Keeli, and Ivy are together in an enclosure and of all the animals Sheba was in the worst shape when Harris and Boose arrived. Sheba has begun eating vociferously and the social structure of this small group has stabilized. Harris reports that “Sheba’s voice is getting stronger and Sheba no longer has to compete with Ivy and Keeli for food. ” Boose said, "Today Sheba was sitting in between Ivy and Keeli and they were all eating their bananas."

While Harris and Boose are grateful that the Texas Attorney General has stepped in, Boose says “There aren’t enough hours in a day to properly care for the 7 chimps and 2 monkeys we are responsible for in this dysfunctional situation, let alone the 65 other chimpanzees who are so desperate for attention. We have been trying to provide enrichment to and care for all of them, but the only thing that will really help is for them all to get out of here. We are really hoping the sanctuary community will rescue them.”

Horror Stories Revealed in Court

2006-10-20T10:14:00.000-04:00

People who have been on the scene helping the animals at PPI this week described the grim and filthy environment in which the primates and other exotic animals have been kept.

Though Sarah has put on weight and Sheba has begun eating regularly, Emma and Harper, the 7 year olds, have been locked indoors in a small, rodent infested enclosure for over a month. Darrell remains isolated. They all need to be reunited and moved immediately.

According to a San Antonio Express report, the facility had only five full-time employees for 850 to 1,000 animals. There was no quarantine area, no veterinary clinic, and no daily logbook for employees to keep tabs on individual animals. Many of the animals, Mel Richardson a veterinarian from California said, had no records at all.

The stench at the facility is terrible. With no septic system, employees were said to be told to hose down animal waste, sending raw sewage into open pits just four feet from an enclosure housing a couple of chimpanzees.

Many of the doors to enclosed night houses don't function, Richardson testified, leaving animals that evolved in temperate climates subjected to extreme weather.

"A sanctuary provides comfort but there is no comfort for these animals," Richardson testified. As the judge was shown a photograph taken Thursday morning of a monkey, Richardson continued: "This is a macaque sitting on a concrete floor. She deserves comfort. She deserves a blanket. She hasn't been provided with the basics."

Many of the enclosures are too small for the animals. A mother tamarin has begun eating her young, probably due to stress, Richardson testified.

A group of macaws, or parrots, which until Wednesday apparently spent months confined to a dark enclosure, plucked every feather from their chests, Richardson said.

According to an emergency request filed by Robert L. Trimble of the attorney general's office, a female baboon named Maggie was confined to a small cage with a dominant and aggressive male who "will not allow her to leave the dark sleeping box attached to the cage."

"Maggie is clearly afraid of the male baboon. Because the cage is very small, when she is attacked, there is no place where Maggie can safely retreat or escape the male's aggressive assaults." She lived in her own excrement, Trimble said.

Attorney general's lawyers are combing through records in an attempt to account for hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations that Swett and another defendant, Stephen Rene Tello, are believed to have "misappropriated and misapplied ... for their personal use and other wasteful purposes," according to court records.

OSU Animals Should be Moving Soon

2006-10-19T23:52:00.000-04:00

At an emergency hearing in Austin, Texas, today a judge granted the receiver authority to move animals that are in most need of immediate rescue. All 72 chimpanzees at PPI ultimately need to be moved to a true sanctuary that can provide larger enclosures, access to fresh air and sunshine, nesting materials, adequate nutrition, exercise, and enrichment to promote their psychological well-being. Lee Theisen-Watt said "Every single day these animals are suffering and that's why we initiated this motion, because to wait another week would be to allow these animals to continue to suffer." She said that there are approximately 20 chimpanzees and 20 monkeys who are suffering the most and they will begin moving them as soon as possible. The OSU animals are among those that will be moved immediately so they can begin the long road to recovery. Though they have experienced horrible traumas, the loss of Kermit and Bobby, and they continue to suffer from being seperated from their family group, the chimps have revealed the subtle facets of their personalities to Stephany and Klaree. Now Stephany and Klaree are confident that the chimps will return to their uniquely expressive and comfortable selves when they are moved to a proper facility.

Nightmares Behind Every Closed Door

2006-10-18T22:08:00.000-04:00

While the former OSU chimps are improving daily -- Sheba's voice is getting stronger and Darrell is getting more playful -- the depth of the suffering at PPI is hard to imagine. The place is so filthy and the animals are so desperate for attention it is difficult to understand how the head of OSU's University Laboratory Animal Resources could have visited this place 4 times and failed to notice the violations of minimal animal care standards. Lee Theisen-Watt said "Attila the Hun would take over and it would be under better management."

The Chimps are Already Happier

2006-10-17T23:54:00.000-04:00

Stephany and Klaree have been spending all of their daylight hours with the chimps and are also trying to do what they can to brighten things up for the hundreds of other primates at PPI.

They have been carrying around book bags filled with nuts and sunflower seeds to give to the animals they see as they move from Sheba, Keeli, and Ivy’s enclosure to Sarah’s enclosure, or to Darrell’s isolation cage, or to Harper and Emma’s small indoor enclosure.

Sarah was probably the happiest getting a blanket and immediately built a nest, but all the chimps are thrilled to have blankets and nesting materials. Stephany and Klaree have been going to a laundry mat every night to wash the blankets as there is no laundry facility on the PPI property. They spread straw in the bottom of Harper and Emma’s enclosure and hid little toys all around for them to find. Darrell has been so happy to see them that the twinkle in his eye is coming back after just a few days. Ivy and Keeli, who had been behaving inappropriately since they don’t have any alphas around to remind them how to behave, immediately responded to Stephany and Klaree and are letting Sheba eat. And Sheba is eating and eating and eating. She had been so distressed and wasn’t able to compete for food that she was starving. She was so happy to have a coloring book and crayons, one of her favorite activities. Once the group is reunited she may possibly recover from her trauma.

Rain and Ulysses are doing much better too. Though it took a day or so, they seem to be more comfortable and took great joy in eating the onions that Steph and Klaree brought them.

It is truly remarkable how much of a difference the reunion has made and while the conditions at PPI are unspeakably awful, the animals now have hope.

TX Attorney General Steps in for the Animals

2006-10-17T15:19:00.000-04:00

On October 13, Primarily Primates was placed under court ordered management after a judge agreed with the overwhelming evidence of inhumane conditions and "great mismanagement" of donation money at the Texas animal holding facility. There are also concerns about "health and hygiene issues."

Lee Theisen-Watt, a Texas expert in wild animal rehabilitation, has been given the temporary charge of overseeing the facility. Lee reports that the animals are cramped, kept in delipidated enclosures, and that each day "reveals another horror."

Kermit's Community Supporters have been trying to reunite Stephany Harris and Klaree Boose, the caretakers of the former OSU animals, with the primates - Sarah, Sheba, Darrell, Keeli, Ivy, Harper, Emma, Rain, and Ulysses since March 1 to see that the animals are cared for in they ways they deserve. On Saturday morning, October 14, the reunion finally happened.

2006-10-17T15:13:00.000-04:00