This week's SECOND New York Times quote

Well, I suppose this qualified as a "very good week", seeing as there have been great strides made in terms of chimpanzee welfare, and as a result, I was quoted in the New York Times again! This makes twice in one week - and, strangely, on two separate topics.

On Wednesday, November 18, it was announced that the National Institutes of Health would no longer pursue keeping a reserve group of 50 chimpanzees for future biomedical research. All federally owned chimpanzees, are now destined for sanctuary retirement. This is just one more step in freeing chimpanzees from the obligations and shackles our culture assigned to them in the past decades.

The New York Times published "National Institutes of Health to End the Use of Chimpanzees for Research" on November 20th:

" 'We absolutely look forward to welcoming these 50 chimps to our sanctuaries to join with their lab chimp friends,' said Erika Fleury, program manager of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, which runs Chimp Haven and seven other primate sanctuaries in the United States and Canada that together care for more than 270 chimpanzees."

Although they got some facts wrong - NAPSA does not run Chimp Haven (they are members) and we care for close to 270 chimpanzees at our member sanctuaries - the article was very informative and included quotes from other coworkers of mine. 

This year has been just wonderful for the advancement of primates rights and welfare. If I seem overly happy in this most recent article, it's because I am. Our world is starting to treat these very deserving animals with consideration for their interests. 

A few years ago, writing my book, I knew the world of primate welfare was on the verge of big shifts... but I didn't realize how soon it would all be happening.

Quoted in New York Times

My work as the Program Manager of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) has given me some wonderful opportunities and experiences in the eleven months since I was hired. Today was once again one of those days when I got the thrill of seeing my name printed in connection to current events in the primatology and animal welfare worlds.

The story "Plan to Export Chimps Tests Law to Protect Species" made front page news in the New York Times.

On page A26 of this Sunday edition, the full article went on to explore the issues raised by the announcement that Yerkes National Primate Research Center planned to donate eight chimpanzees to an unaccredited and inexperienced wildlife park in the UK. 

My contribution comes here: "Five American sanctuaries are willing to take the Yerkes chimps, according to Erika Fleury, the program manager of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance. Some may require financial support for chimps that they take from the institute that retires them; Ms. Fleury said each sanctuary sets its own conditions."

The article also involves quotes and information from Kathleen Meyer, the lawyer NEAVS has hired to represent a group of concerned experts (including many from NAPSA member sanctuaries), and primatologist Richard Wrangham. 

I am once again pleased to be featured in such a well-known and respected publication, but am happiest that I can use my skills to help improve the lives of nonhuman primates.

Published on One Green Planet

On August 14th, I had a new article published on One Green Planet.

Titled "Urgent Action Needed to Help Primates Suffering in Labs Across the U.S.", it was written as a project of NAPSA and is about a Rulemaking Petition to the USDA on behalf of the psychological well-being of primates in research. NAPSA is a co-petitioner of the effort, along with New England Anti-Vivisection Society, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and the Laboratory Primates Advocacy Group.

In less than 48 hours, it has been shared over 1100 times! Thrilled.

Articles published in OR and FL

Part of my duties with the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) is to speak up on primate-related topics that are especially newsworthy or a particular focus of the group. In July, the organization kicked off an advocacy program about the private ownership of primates. I wrote a number of articles that were then pitched to local and national news outlets. So far, two have been printed.



On July 26th, the Bend Bulletin (in Oregon) printed "Chimpanzees Should Not Be Pets."






On August 2nd, the Gainesville Sun (in Florida) printed "Erika Fleury: Jungle Friends' Jersey Shows Negative Consequences of Primate Ownership."

I expect more articles will be published this month. I look forward to sharing the news of this!

American Society of Primatologists Conference 2015

I just returned from the annual conference of the American Society of Primatologists (ASP), which was held in beautiful Bend, Oregon.






Although I arrived a day late due to horrific travel delays, what's most important is that I did finally arrive.

I was speaking as part of a symposium entitled "The Advancement of the Modern Primate Sanctuary and the Growth of Collaborative Opportunities."



My presentation, "The History of Primate Sanctuaries in the United States" kicked off the symposium and led the way for my colleagues to also present on various related topics.



Due to the ASP's tendency to be very much dominated by the opinions and interests of primate researchers, sanctuaries have historically not had the smoothest welcome into the organization. This year, though, we were pleasantly surprised that the attendees of our symposium seemed honestly interested in what we had to say - and we had a packed house. It was standing room only!



The next day I was fortunate to get a private tour of NAPSA member sanctuary Chimps Inc, home of seven chimps, two lynx and.... a miniature horse named Oreo.

I loved him - even if he did try to nibble on my finger right after this picture was taken.



I consider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to visit Chimps Inc for the first time, and to meet some well-respected primatologists at the conference. Hopefully we have opened some minds to the option of retiring lab primates to sanctuary instead of them having to face euthanasia or the prospect of spending more years in laboratory life. Feedback to our symposium was promising, to be sure.

It's hard to believe that it was less than 2 years ago that I attended The Great Ape Summit, knowing nobody. Things have changed a lot, and I am ever so grateful.

Pant-hoots to that!

NYT + CNN = media explosion!

Yes, it's true I haven't posted anything on this blog since January - but for good reason. My work with the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance is thrilling and wonderful and chock-full of responsibilities that take up most of my time.

Today it was imperative that I post, however, because I have great news to share!

On Friday the US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a long-awaited end to the split-listing of chimpanzees under the Endangered Species Act. You can read more about this on NAPSA's statement on the topic.

During the buzz before the announcement actually occurred, I was contacted by the New York Times for an interview. It was published online Friday, June 12th and in print on Saturday, June 13th.

It wasn't over yet...

Saturday afternoon CNN requested that I be interviewed live via Skype later that evening. I was able to gather some talking points, with the help of a few trusted advisors and coworkers, and am pleased to say that the interview went quite well! You can view it on CNN's website.

As a result, these stories have been shared throughout international media, which has led to some very interesting and humorous translation related mis-quotes. 

Being so heavily involved in the progress for increased protections for nonhuman primates is a wonderful, wonderful thing and I am honored to be doing this.

ASP Member

I apologize for the lack of posts. My new position at the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA) and the independent consultant work I continue to do for the Primate Rescue Center is keeping me rather busy. Not rather, but VERY busy. I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.....but it leaves little time for blogging.

However - good things have happened in the interim!

I am pleased to be a new member of the American Society of Primatologists. Along with some of my NAPSA colleagues, I will be speaking at their annual conference in Bend, Oregon this coming May.
My presentation is entitled "The Evolution of Primate Sanctuaries In The United States" and I promise it will be quite thrilling.

Other events in the pipeline include a trips to Chicago for a NAPSA retreat, and to Portland, Oregon for NAPSA's annual workshop.

For now, that's plenty, I assure you!