Post on 06-Feb-2018
AR2011:
“Abusing Our Cousins”
That’s Not Funny: Primates in the
Entertainment Industry
Sharon Strong
International Primate Protection League
In the Media:
A Proliferation of Primates Movies (from 1930s’ Tarzan to 2011’s Zookeeper)
In the Media:
A Proliferation of Primates Movies (from 1930s’ Tarzan to 2011’s Zookeeper)
Ads (CareerBuilder’s Super Bowl chimp ads)
In the Media:
A Proliferation of Primates Movies (from 1930s’ Tarzan to 2011’s Zookeeper)
Ads (CareerBuilder’s Super Bowl chimp ads)
TV shows (like 30 Rock and the Today Show)
In the Media:
A Proliferation of Primates Movies (from 1930s’ Tarzan to 2011’s Zookeeper)
Ads (CareerBuilder’s Super Bowl chimp ads)
TV shows (like 30 Rock and the Today Show)
YouTube (tickle-me loris)
From Thailand to T.I.G.E.R.S.:
Primates as Live Entertainment Live action animal shows
(street performers, Safari
World, Universal Studios)
From Thailand to T.I.G.E.R.S.:
Primates as Live Entertainment Live action animal shows
(street performers, Safari
World, Universal Studios)
Circuses/traveling shows
(Circus Rosaire)
From Thailand to T.I.G.E.R.S.:
Primates as Live Entertainment Live action animal shows
(street performers, Safari
World, Universal Studios)
Circuses/traveling shows
(Circus Rosaire)
Roadside zoos/pseudo-
sanctuaries (Amarillo
Wildlife Refuge)
From Thailand to T.I.G.E.R.S.:
Primates as Live Entertainment Live action animal shows
(street performers, Safari
World, Universal Studios)
Circuses/traveling shows
(Circus Rosaire)
Roadside zoos/pseudo-
sanctuaries (Amarillo
Wildlife Refuge)
Pay-to-play operations
(tourist traps, T.I.G.E.R.S.)
Primate “Actors:”
Names and Numbers Commonly used species:
• Chimpanzees
• Orangutans
• Gibbons
• Capuchins
Primate “Actors:”
Names and Numbers Commonly used species:
• Chimpanzees
• Orangutans
• Gibbons
• Capuchins
Numbers in captivity:
• About 15,000 primates in
private hands
• About 750 are chimps;
fewer than 30 apes currently
in entertainment industry
Where do they come from and
where do they go? Primate breeders
• About 4 or 5 ape
suppliers
• Many monkey
breeders
The waiting list for
would-be retirees
• “Off the radar”
The revolving door
• Examples: Rosie,
Travis, Chubbs
Behind the Scenes:
An Unnatural Life Maternal separation
(at days or weeks old)
Social isolation (leads
to poor social skills)
Hand-rearing (human
dependence)
Trained to perform on
cue (harsh methods)
Mutilation (teeth, etc.)
Life stories
Legalities and Loopholes
Many businesses
supplying animal
actors have been
AWA violators
AHA film certification:
what it doesn’t say
The only legal solution
to “problem primates,”
sometimes it’s at the
end of a gun
What You Can Do
Vote with your dollar
• Don’t patronize abusive
businesses
Leverage social media
• “Like” on Facebook,
then leave “Dislikes”
and critical comments
on YouTube
Complain nicely!
• Via IPPL, Primate
Patrol, etc.
Some Ready-for-Prime-Time
“Primates”! CG animals
Human actors in suits
Animatronics
Sock monkeys
Stay in touch with the International Primate
Protection League!
P.O. Box 766
Summerville, SC 29484
E-mail: info@ippl.org
Web: www.ippl.org
Phone: 843-871-2280