Advocacy

:: Advocacy

Sometimes you have to stand up for what you believe in. And with chimpanzees, there are a lot of issues to discuss. The SSP feels strongly about all of these issues and hopes to provide information for you to make up your mind as well.

For the Chimpanzee SSP's stand on recent news stories, click here.

Hondo (North Carolina Zoo)

photo by Tom Gillespie

Taking a stand

Chimpanzees outside the SSP

Primates as pets

We believe that chimpanzees should not be owned as pets. Though cute and cuddly as youngsters, chimpanzees quickly grow to be strong, unmanageable and dangerous. Sadly even those with good initial intentions are forced to quickly find a new home for their pet chimpanzees and these difficult circumstances can lead to chimpanzees in suboptimal conditions. Read the AZA position statement.

Apes in entertainment

Chimpanzees are easily trained and as such, many are used for television programs, photographic props, motion pictures and advertisements. We believe the frivolous depiction of apes creates inaccurate perceptions of them as a sentient species and has a negative impact on the public's perception of their conservation status. Additionally, these chimpanzees are often raised in suboptimal conditions and deserve to be housed in more species-typical environments. Read the AZA position statement.

Care of captive chimpanzees

Social housing

We believe that all chimpanzees should be given the opportunity to live with other chimpanzees. Ideally and when facilities can support it, groups should be multi-male, multi-female and have a range of age-sex classes represented.

Water moats

We believe that new exhibits should avoid the use of water moats as a primary containment strategy for chimpanzees. Too many chimpanzees have died as a result of drowning and this risk should be avoided when renovated or constructing a new facility.

Mother-rearing

Infants should have every opportunity to be reared by their mother before any alternatives are attempted. Only in circumstances where the infant's health or wellbeing are in jeopardy, should hand-rearing be implemented. If this strategy is deemed necessary, infants should be placed back with their natal group as soon as it is deemed safe.