I hope someone will be interested in this....On Sunday, I am heading to Bend, Oregon to intern at Chimps Inc. It is a sanctuary for eight chimpanzees who were abused in the entertainment industry. While there, I will be playing with the chimps and making their environment enjoyable. Also, I will research captive breeding and how it influences reproductive activities and mental health of the apes.
You can follow my days at laurenwithchimps.blogspot.com.
Whether you "believe" that chimps are our relatives or not, although there is scientific evidence to prove this, they should be treated with kindness---not be forced to perform for humans. This sanctuary helps chimps who have been put under this horrible psychological and physical constraint. And also, looks for ways to help wild chimps that are threatened daily by logging, agroforestry, development, bush meat hunters, illegal international trade, etc.
Thanks for reading and please, feel free to leave comments/questions on my blog...and I will do my best to answer them!
Cheers!
Awesome project there, Lauren. I'm really interested in finding out how this goes. And hopefully you can convince me that Chimps are our 'relatives'? Well, i don't know a lot about Darwin but whatever happened to creationism and intelligent design? (at least i know Palin wanted creationism to be taught in public schools).
ReplyDeleteIn any case, while i don’t subscribe to abuse of any kind, I don’t know that animals suffer any psychological constraints that are worse than prisoner abuse at gitmo? There are so many things that confuse me about America but i'm not going to start ranting yet. In Africa, animals have no rights. They are under the *absolute* subjugation of humans (just as the Bible meant it to be--check Genesis 1: 28). In fact in some cultures they organize 'animal fights' and it’s a great event for everyone (because i believe even those cats and dogs look forward to it—ok just kidding here)
But seriously… I cannot understand why Michael Vic will be imprisoned for all things-- a dog fight. If people in this country are so concerned about 'rights' they don't have to look far for more important cases of human rights violations right under their noses. (because we all know there’s such a thing as Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay)
But rest assured I will be following your blog in the hope of learning some more because maybe I’m just one ignorant bloke.
..interesting project Lauren, interesting views Etse. what can I say, America is an interesting country.
ReplyDeletewhich is why African people are so backward Eche Sika and Dela
ReplyDeleteanonymous, i don't think you're a very intelligent person if this is the only conclusion you can draw from Lauren's exciting project and the compelling alternative views Etse presented.
ReplyDeletebut hey, it's a world of opinion, thanks for sharing yours (however irrelevant and bigoted it might be)
I don't like anonymous' statement at all.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the support etse and DK. I think it will be at least a good time and I'll learn a few things.
etse--i just cant justify hurting anyone, animal or human, and I know we have had this talk numerous times, but i just can't put animals "below" me...it's sad to see humans and animals treated poorly---no matter what you think their place is. Which is why I am hopefully going to make these chimps lives all the more enjoyable. :-)
and DK--I don't know where you stand on these views but thanks for showing some love! :)
Lauren, as soon as I figure out my position on this, I'll let you know. :)
ReplyDeleteLauren - follow your passion and let excellence put your detractors to shame... as long it enhances your humanity... go for it... we may have something to learn from you... courage...
ReplyDeleteThank you both!!
ReplyDeleteWhat I know about animal researches is especially in medicine is that new inventions are tested on animals first. Such as guinea pigs and chimps. This is done to ascertain the side-effects of the drug. This helps the human race in no small way. As ti whether we need their permission or not is another question...
ReplyDelete