NATURE introduces you to the unsung heroes in our history in Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History.
The history of chimps in our society is a history unlike any other. We have sent them into space, dressed them in costumes and demanded that they entertain us. Some have been adopted into human families until they “outgrew” their cuteness, many have been used to test our drugs or to help develop our vaccines, others have been infected with our most frightening diseases. While we are mesmerized by their likeness to our species and we have continually found uses for chimps, we never considered what they wanted or needed.
But their side of the story is starting to emerge. And it can be heard at the sanctuaries where many retired chimps now reside. It can be read in their medical records, seen in their mutilated bodies, or sensed through their psychological afflictions. We’ve had a conflicted relationships with chimps in our society but there are some people who want to simplify it. Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History will introduce you to the rescuers at sanctuaries like Fauna Foundation, Save the Chimps, Center for Great Apes. And they are determined to see that the traumatized residents they have saved from a life of confinement and suffering can finally be allowed to feel like chimps.
Update (January 2008): Under a new bill, called the Chimp Haven is Home Act, retired chimpanzees living at Chimp Haven in Keithville, Louisiana would not be able to be removed for medical research. President Bush must sign the bill for it to become law. The bill, introduced by U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery and U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, deletes a provision in standing law that would allow such removal. The CHIMP Act of 2000 established the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary System for chimpanzees retired from use in research. Chimp Haven operates this sanctuary system through a public-private partnership. “The chimpanzees at Chimp Haven have spent their lives in research laboratories helping to improve the lives of all Americans,” McCrery said. “Many of our discoveries in space and medicine are due to chimpanzees. I am proud to help modify the existing law to ensure chimpanzees at Chimp Haven will spend their final years happily.
To order a copy of Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History, please visit the NATURE Shop.
Online content for Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History was originally posted November 2006.
I am so sad. I have decided to donate (albiet $25). If everyone gave $5-10, then we can make up for treating animals so poorly.
I wept uncontrolably, I am discraced by my race!
Please advise me where I can send a donation for these poor animals. I have done nothing but cry about this unfortunate, but informative story. Thank god there are people in this world that care about these babies…
I am confused by the controversy. Human life takes preference over the life of a chimpanzee.If chimpanzees are required for medical research, then so be it. I suffer from an illness that at one time was 100% fatal. But due to research done on chimpanzees, I will live a normal life span which at one time was not possible. God put animals on the earth to serve man. The money spent on these chimps once research is no longer needed is money that could be better spent on children starving in the world. What is more important? The life of a child or the life of a chimpanzee? Once the animal is no longer needed for research they should be humanely euthenized. Then, there will be more money for starving children than keeping these animals alive who have a reputation of being brutal at times…
This is the 2nd time I’ve watched, and I cried again. When will the learn that we will be judged by how we treat the lest of us. These heartbreaking furry loves to our own elderly and mentally ill. I hope I live long enough to see the end of it, for all for always.
Instead of humanely euthanizing these close proximity of mankind…. I would like to see more Islands house these terrific animals.
As for these starving children
I would like to see some monies go to the adults of these 3rd world countries to educate on the use of birth control so this insane cycle of bringing children into these poor countries would cease.
I am so inspired by the work that all those amazing people did for those poor poor animals. I wish I was old enough to volunteer for a cause like that. But I can promise I will do everything within my power to help these chimps like the Save The Chimps foundation is doing. I am utterly ashamed of what our race has done to them.
These chimpanzees are real heroes who sacrificed their good health and freedom to help the human race. It’s great to know there are compassionate human beings caring and concerned about them. Before this program I never realized their plight I would like to make a little contribution if you’d inform me where to send my contribution.
Thank you to the people that are trying to help these poor animals. I am also discraced by my race, the humane race is like some sort of parisite, distroying everything in its path. The only species that the planet would benefit from if it were to distroy itself. Oh, I think we are already doing that. I would like to help the Chimpanzees please inform me where I can get more information.
I am watching the episode tonight – and agree, it tugs at ones emotions. I noticed in previous comments, an interest of where to donate to help the retired chimps. If you google ‘chimp haven’ you should find what you’re looking for. I have absolutely no affiliation with the not-for-profit organization. I just read through the information posted on the PBS site about the series and googled chimp have which directed me to the correct site. I too would like to contribute towards helping these animals live out their remaining time on earth with the dignity and compassionate care they well deserve.
It makes me physically ill and incredibly sad to see these once wild and free chimpanzees reduced to used up lab experiments. Many displayed tattoed numbers on their mutilated bodies, akin to the victims of the Holocaust.
This show was hard to watch, but very informative. I considered changing the channel, but the personal stories hooked me in. The ending was especially cathartic because it showed Billy Jo, Toddy, Ron, and Thoto finally getting the chance to experience grass, trees, and sky. Thank you to all those good people, as shown in the documentary, who really care about these chimpanzees, and choose to make their existence a little better every day.
Watching this made me want to puke! How we as a “civilized” race, think we can do whatever we want to other living things just shows our ignorance. To the people who now care for these chimps–thank you. This is just one other subject on how we “humans” are ruining this home of ours. No care or concern for anyone but ourselves. If we hear that we are on the extinction “list”, will it matter then?!
Arrogance. If one word describes the American attitude toward those who cannot help, nor have a voice to speak, themselves…arrogance is the word. Yes, no doubt there will always be those of us who seek out this kind of abuse and strive to correct it…we will always be met with the apathy that is made apparent through these documentaries. I remain thankful for PBS –and the Animal Planet– for placing this type of program in the public eye so that more and more people may be made aware of all we need to achieve, working together, in the name of humanity. For those who seek more info on the Chimp Haven Is Home Act, please use this link: Please make certain the entire link is copied into your browser…
http://www.google.com/search?ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=navclient&gfns=1&q=Chimp+Haven+is+Home+Act
I found this show to be very informative. It’s a sad situation with the chimps who’ve been used for research. I know we need to do all we can to help HUMANS, but in my view, animals are God’s creatures too, and we need to do what we can to help them. Especially in the case of the chimps infected with HIV for research. Perhaps humane euthanization is the best option, but I love and respect those who are supporting sanctuaries and caring for these animals with love and grace.
At first I just caught the end of it then I got to see the begining and end of it these inteligent carring loving animals Have feelings and great intelegence and they have done so much for us they are heroes they may not be on the front lines fighting a war but they are fighting for us so that we can have more inproved lives providing care love enrichment and a somewhat natural habitat on an island is the least we can do for them and TO FRANK WHO SAYS THAT RESEARCH ON CHIMPS MADE HIS LIFE POSSIBLE SO THAT HE CAN LIVE A NORMAL LIFE I THINK YOU OWE THEM SOME GRATTITUDE THEY DONT HAVE A CHOICE OR A SAY SO OVER WHATS HAPPENING TO THEM AND THEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ADMIT TO HAVING THERE LIFE POSSIBLE FROM REASERCH ON CHIMPS SAYING THERE LIVES DONT MATTER WELL WHAT IF YOUR LIFE DIDNT MATTER AND NO ONE CARED ABOUT YOU WHAT IF THESE CHIMPS DIDNT MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO LIVE SHOW THEM SOME GRATTITUDE!!!!!!! sorry for rambling but it was very heart breaking story and I am very glad that not everyone is ignorent and shows no respct for these chimps think about it what if we showed are men in women in arms this kind of treatment after what they have done for us it is the same
Well, I am certain (as one commentator mentioned) that God did not put animals on this earth to serve man. Animals are here to allow us to choose who we are in relation to them. Are we a species that sees all flora and fauna and the environment as something we exploit for our benefit without any consideration for the suffering we cause.
Or are we a conscious species that honors the right of all living things to live freely? Are we a species that recognizes we are all one and connected at the source and that what we do to another we do to ourselves and our future generations. Do we recognize that at one point in history, we perceived black slaves as nothing but animals to serve their masters. Nobody, no one, and nothing is here on the planet to serve us. We must honor everything on this planet as precious – as if we are the planet (which we are).
This documentary broke my heart and made me weep too and I immediately made a donation. If viewers want to help. This website has a link on the right column labeled “additional web and print resources”. There you will find organizations that are helping these beautiful beings. There are many organizations listed but the three organizations mentioned in the documentary are:
Save the Chimps
Group that cares for abandoned and orphaned chimpanzees.
http://www.savethechimps.org
The Fauna Foundation
Non-profit sanctuary for wild, domestic, and farm animals, and biomedical research chimpanzees. Environmental projects, wetlands restoration.
http://www.faunafoundation.org
Center for Great Apes
A sanctuary for orangutans and chimpanzees in need of long-term life care.
http://www.prime-apes.org
Thank you PBS for making this story known. I applaud the compassionate people who have giving their money and time to help these animals live the rest of their lives in a loving and SAFE environment. We need more people like you in the world.
I cried as well. At the same time…many of us would not be around if it weren’t for the chimps and other animals in research. I hate that it has to be done. However, they should be treated HUMANELY. You cannot just leave them in concrete quarters their whole lives…even during their time in medical research. Why can’t they live freely and then brought in for tests??? Did anyone ever see the video of the young boy falling into the ape/gorilla enclosure at the zoo. The ape/gorilla carefully picked up the young boy and left him by the door where the handlers come in and out of. Are you going to tell me a creature like that is non-feeling and deserve to be put to sleep after doing so much to help the human race frank guarino??? They don’t deserve a life of peace afterwards??? And to Sandman: Nicely put:)
To Frank Guarino:
Humans have done more to harm this planet and other species than any non-human animal ever has or ever will. As the most highly evolved creature on earth, the human animal has a duty to care for and look after all living creatures. We have a responsibility to protect, not a right to destroy.
I cried my eyes out – this show is so touching. Thank goodness for the profiled caretakers. I have been compelled to donate to savethechimps.org to make a lasting difference. Thank you for helping these chimps have a better life!
I just bought two copies. One to keep and one to pass around to my family and friends. I think people need to know the inhumanity that God’s nonhuman creatures endure. Makes one wonder if we really are the “civilized” society we claim to be. Our Government??? Why do we point fingers at other countries’ ignorance, when we do horrible things behind closed doors to God’s creatures that can not speak up for themselves. I am also condeming the abuse of animals in the private sector as well!!! Why do we as the American public tolerate such things. Thank you PBS for enlightening so many to the awful plight of these intelligent, gentle beings.
Wow reading the post of Mr. Guarino above here reminds me who can be the most brutal on the planet… Humans. Why on earth any person thinks our set of DNA is somehow more important than any other livign creatures is beyond me especially one that is so much like us. You should rent the Koko video and see them do sign language about rememeber how their parents were murdered and begging us not to kill them like this anymore. Think they are just mere animals? If animal nature is measured in brutality and harm that we do here on this planet than it is us not them that are indeed tha animals of this wild kingdom. I am ashamed to see someone who watches PBS write such closed minded and cold writing such as this. When all the animals are gone what will we do then? They are not here for our research and perhaphs disease is more our mind body connection and perhaps there are other ways to cure them than bringing on misery to animals.
So much of the testing done at Universites and labs across the nation is wasted because it is done multiple timesby schools and companies competing against each other..these animals are slaughtred many times for no good reason or for results that have been had over many many times. The science community needs to get better organized if it does continue in the vein.
I once lived with a pet monkey whose owner was cruel to him and cared for him. He was a Japanese Snow monkey. I had no idea how intelligent an animal was till I spent my months with him. It was startling to say the least how much he started to understand and how quickly. We have no idea what they know.
http://www.koko.org/index.php
Tell an AIDs patient that a stupid animal is more important than they are.
And to all those people who whine on about their “race” please do the planet and get off. If humans are so bad then make a difference by leaving the earth yourselves. But none of you will do that because you are lazy and a bunch of hypocrites.
And what a shock that it’s all women crying. Please stop living up to the stereotype of being oversensitive.
And I forgot. Humans > stupid chimps. No Mr. Redneck on this program, the chimps are not smarter than us. Are the chimps running PBS? Wait maybe they are since it requires American government funding.
The chimps didn’t invent the internet or television. I am typing about a stupid chimp. The stupid chimp is not typing about me. Right now he is scratching his hairy butt. So the heck with them. If we can cure cancer and AIDs then bleep the animals.
What a beautiful film…I am crying.
how sad even more sad is the people have no grattitude for what the chimps have suffered for us its not beening oversensitive it’s having a heart
This movie was trash. And to the people crying, grow up.
I watched and just cried, was so intrigued I want to send some money to help this animal that is almost extinct and i am sorry but GOD did not put animals on this earth to serve man!! Animals are breathing living things which our beautiful god created! God is love he is not about putting a chimp in expirments for 30 years, all these chimps injected with the aids virus and after years is there a cure? No there is not! All the slaughtering we do on animals, is a disgrace and your grand children and great grandchildren will never know what a chimp is or a polar bear or all of these extinct animals, the people watching this whom were left crying are the caring compassionate ones, and to those who feel the opposite do you remember when humans performed experiments on humans, is that okay with you too? Yes some of these chimps are much smarter than the humans that write these comments.
wow, i just finished watching the program and came on here to see how i could help. But got destracted by some of the dumb comments. To Mark; Yes I AM FEMALE and NO I did not cry. You are a fool and need to read a book. I think if you have nothing smart to say, then shut up. For someone who has no interest in helping animals you sure spent a lot of time on a web site dedicated on doing so. You call people hypocrites but your bias and sexist.
I do not agree with animal testing. There is no need for it. Based on over population the human race is doing fine.
Thank you PBS for airing such a powerful documentary that the general public, not involved with animal, humane, enviornmental groups, can see how humans have abused these magnificent creatures for our so called gain. To those that say animals were put here for our use, medically or for entertainment, I am horrified by your comments! All animals were put here on this planet for a specific purpose, to be themselves, whatever that might be, and to live their lives in the enviornment they were meant to live in without our interference. This is the order of the planet and the “Circle of Life”. We all know what happens when something is disturbed in the “Circle”, plant or animal, it has a wave-like disasterous effect on everything else in the “Circle”. How is it in todays time there are still people out there that are so ignorant that they don’t see that? I have been most fortunate to have been on 2 African safaris (and hope to return soon) and have been honored to be in the presence of these and other magnificent creatures in their home. Having these experiences I can tell you that I have seen the “Circle of Life” unfold in front of my eyes as Nature intended. No one was dressed up doing tricks for our “entertainment”. They were being who they are supposed to be where they are supposed to be. Thank goodness for those of us out there that are jumping up and down and screaming at the top of our lungs for protections and rights of all animals and their enviornments. We have to remember we are humans and should treat animals humanely. If we are supposedly the more intelligent ones why are there those still out there with the ignorant attitudes of some of the people commenting here? Let’s hope one day soon that we in the humane community get so loud that we drown out those that are ruining our planet with their disposable mentality that everything here is for their explicit use and abuse. Oh, and another thing I learned while on safari…..animals do not kill out of malice, they kill to eat and survive. We can’t say that for the human race. Now tell me who is the kinder creature?
—-To PBS—-As always, I would like to see you mention at the end of any such documentary how people can help. You have the opportunity to help the organizations that are featured in films such as this one while people are still moved and have the desire to help. Please consider mentioning where people can go to help at the end of these films while the emotions are still raw.
And yes, I was so moved that I cried. Not just at the abuses we have inflicted on these wonderful, intelligent creatures, but at the end when a few got their so called freedom and walked on grass and climed trees for the first time in their lives. If you were not moved by this film you don’t have a heart.