They lived for years and years in concrete and steel cages, not knowing what air, sun and grass were. They have been tested of freedom, tranquility and love. All sorts of experiments have been conducted on them, in particular those on diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
They have lived in for years and years cages of concrete and steel, without knowing what air was , the sun and the grass. They have been tested of freedom, tranquility and love. All sorts of experiments have been conducted on them, in particular those on diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS.
But today, after a year and a half of intense planning, meetings, travel and fundraising, all 110 chimps used in research experiments at New Iberia Research Center, Louisiana, have been sent "retired" to their beautiful new home.
This is the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary – Chimp Haven. For them this is a new beginning, towards a life they have never been able to lead until now: they will be able to live climbing trees, relaxing in the sun and interacting in social groups. The campaign to remove these animals ranging in age from 1 to 50 years from the South Louisiana laboratory in Chimp Haven began in November 2012, when the National Institutes of Health ruled that they needed to retire.
“We are thrilled that this great day has finally come. Many organizations and individuals have worked tirelessly to ensure these chimps have a fresh start in a sanctuary environment. Our dreams have finally been realized ", he said Cathy Willis Spraetz President and CEO of Chimp Haven, which raised $ 5 million to make the center ready to welcome incoming chimps.
The New England Antivivisection Society, The Humane Society, The National Antivivisection Society and The American Antivivisection Society, along with animal rights activists Bob Barker and Anita Hirsh, have contributed millions of dollars to build all the play areas and bedrooms needed.
Ned, pictured below, is one of these lucky former victims. He arrived in Chimp Haven in April 2014. He suffered a head injury which resulted reduced mobility and cognitive deficits. The global damage to his brain makes social interactions with other chimps very difficult.
Despite his problems, he now has new friends who care for him or help him transition into retirement. With encouragement, he began to understand life in Chimp Haven and yes he is enjoying his freedom.
Roberta Ragni
Read also:
- Vivisection: chimpanzees see sunlight for the first time (VIDEO)
- “Project NIM”: the sad story of the chimpanzee raised as a child
- The embrace of the chimpanzee who finds freedom (VIDEO)
