Speaking for chimps

Posted at 3:16 PM on September 7, 2011 by Bob Collins (4 Comments)
Filed under: Science

What would it be like to never have been allowed to go outside? This German video, making the rounds today on the Intertubes, supposes to be a heartwarming tale of what happened when some chimps, who had been research animals, were sent to a safari camp and allowed to wander on their own.

Good for the chimps above but not so heartwarming once you realize the world from which they come. A week or so ago, the Humane Society in the U.S. released an investigation into the use of chimps in research.

In stories like this, it's hard to shake this amazing photo from National Geographic in 2009 when a dead chimp was wheeled away.

(h/t: Julia Schrenkler)

---

Comments (4)

At some point in the - hopefully not so distant -future, we will be shocked by the thoughtless cruelty that we inflicted on other sentient beings.

Posted by Jim Shapiro | September 7, 2011 3:34 PM

---

Chimps exhibiting human traits? Allow me to be the second person to link to a This American Life episode in the News Cut comments today.

Posted by JB | September 7, 2011 3:54 PM

---

exactly, Jim.

Posted by JB PRICK | September 7, 2011 7:54 PM

---

I'm with you Jim. Anyone who has looked into the eyes of a great ape at a zoo, and cannot feel this in their bones...is not human, imho.

Posted by Bonnie | September 7, 2011 9:52 PM

---

• E-mail this page
• Print this page
• Tweet this page
• Share this

Services

• Hourly Newscast
• HD Radio
• iPhone App / Mobile
• E-mail newsletters
• RSS feeds
• Podcasts
• Submit your photos
• Videos
• Weather
• Most e-mailed stories