Dear John,
On this day in 1960, Dr. Jane Goodall—world renowned primatologist and NhRP board member—began her trailblazing research on wild chimpanzees in Gombe. Her work shattered scientific and cultural myths, and transformed our understanding of who chimpanzees are. Scientists now confirm that chimpanzees are intelligent, emotionally complex, social beings who suffer greatly when deprived of their autonomy.
Today, on World Chimpanzee Day, we honor her legacy by continuing the fight for their freedom. Because despite everything we now know about who chimpanzees are, many still remain in captivity—confined in unnatural environments that deprive them of the ability to express their natural instincts and behaviors.
The NhRP is challenging a centuries-old legal status quo that unjustly sees all nonhuman animals as legal “things” with no rights. And your voice matters in this fight.
Right now seven chimpanzees are held captive at the DeYoung Family Zoo in Michigan. We filed a complaint with the court, demanding their right to liberty and immediate release to a chimpanzee sanctuary—the first litigation of its kind in Michigan.
As we wait for the court to set a hearing date, please make your support for their freedom known by signing our petition to Free the DeYoung chimpanzees.
Thousands have already signed—will you?
