Remembering Kermit

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

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?

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)

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

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

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

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

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