| | | | | NEWS HIGHLIGHTS March 2023 |  Fate of 1,200 Monkeys Unknown About 1,200 monkeys once destined for use in labs are now at risk of being killed or returned to Cambodia where, if they survive the trip, they will likely be recycled back into the animal research supply pipeline. Purchased by Charles River Laboratories, the juvenile long-tailed macaques can’t be sold or used in experiments in the U.S. because the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) refused to give shipments of these monkeys clearance. The agency cited an ongoing investigation, likely related to the monkey trafficking scheme uncovered last year by the Department of Justice. Believed to be captured in the wild and then falsely labeled as purpose-bred, the macaques are currently being held at Charles River’s facilities in Houston, Texas. The FWS made some inquiries about possibly releasing the monkeys to a sanctuary and spoke to the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary, which estimated that $125 million would be needed to acquire land, build facilities, and provide proper care. Reportedly, the FWS then decided to ship the monkeys back to Cambodia. Thankfully, following calls and e-mails from animal advocates, the FWS halted transport plans, for now. The fate of the 1,200 monkeys remains undetermined. Monkeys are wild animals, regardless of whether or not they were born in captivity. These captured monkeys are surely suffering, scared of their new surroundings, and stressed from being confined. The safest place for these macaques is at a sanctuary. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has promised substantial funding if the monkeys are released to Born Free’s care, and AAVS has pledged to help as well. These monkeys have already been through so much but they have lots of people on their side. Meanwhile, the lab animal suppliers and researchers who are driving this intense demand for animals need to be held accountable for the cruel and allegedly illegal procurement of these monkeys. |
|  The World Federation for Animals (WFA), of which AAVS is a founding member, has published “Unveiling the Nexus: The Interdependence of Animal Welfare, Environment & Sustainable Development.” This report outlines “the value of an animal welfare perspective for addressing the drivers of environmental challenges and sustainable development,” something that WFA was instrumental in getting the United Nations Environment Assembly to formally acknowledge.
READ MORE » |  USDA officials, Drs. Elizabeth Goldentyer and Robert Gibbens, were subpoenaed by a federal grand jury over their inaction against animal research breeder Envigo, despite serious, repeated animal welfare violations. The move is part of a criminal investigation into Envigo by the Department of Justice, which discovered 446 dogs in “acute distress” and in need of immediate veterinary care after executing a search warrant at the breeder’s Virginia facility.
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| | SANCTUARY MOMENT: North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance |  Chimps in Need – Final Call! Your donation to help ensure the futures of several special chimpanzees will be DOUBLED today, when the Chimps in Need emergency rescue fundraiser closes. You may remember in past e-news, stories about the Sunrise Seven, Great Eight, Treetop Ten, and other chimpanzees who used to reside at a defunct wildlife facility in southern California where they lived under the growing threat of wildfires. Led by the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, the three year effort to rescue these chimpanzees was accomplished through teamwork, involving the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, accredited sanctuaries, AAVS and other animal protection groups, and generous supporters like you. Any donations made by TODAY will be doubled! Funding will be distributed to the sanctuaries caring for these chimpanzees to help cover any remaining costs associated with building new habits and other essentials needed to ensure the safety, health, and happiness of these chimps now and into the future. All the chimpanzees have been acclimating well to their new homes, enjoying the soft, lush grass in their habitats (something they didn’t have at their previous home), savoring fresh fruits and vegetables, exploring their much larger living spaces, and making new friends. They are loving life and we couldn’t be happier for them!
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