Researching The Founders: Lynn Cuny

I first visited Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation (WRR) in 2014, the week I was in San Antonio for a NAPSA conference. This was also the week I interviewed for a position with NAPSA. Thankfully, I ended up being offered the position a short while later, but at the time all I knew was that I wanted to work there very badly! As a result, I was pretty much a nervous wreck during the conference and though I was very impressed by what I saw of the sanctuary tour of WRR, I know I didn't absorb everything that I would have, had I not been interviewing for the job of a lifetime.

When I was at WRR back then, one thing I recall was being in awe of the signage reminding visitors to respect all lives on site, no matter how small.

I was very much looking forward to my return visit as I researched The Founders.

WRR is not a NAPSA member sanctuary, so I don't interact with them as much as I do with some of the other sanctuaries. However, I do speak with them rather often to place primates in need. I have always been very grateful for their willingness to help in this way.

The sanctuary is known for its unique design, created to grant the rescued animals as much wildness back into their lives as possible. Though they are still captive in a sense, their enclosures are designed over vast spaces (sometimes many acres) that give them the ability to live in social groups, much like they would in the wild.

I won't give away too much - I want you to read the book, after all - but Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation is indeed a precious resource granting dignity to many deserving individuals, and it will be an honor to tell the story of its founder, Lynn Cuny.

I extend much gratitude to New England Anti-Vivisection Society for funding the travel for The Founders.

Letter published and KMOX radio interview in St. Louis

A bizarre story surfaced recently of a Creve Coeur, Missouri woman who was asking the town for an exemption to their rule prohibiting privately owned monkeys, because she claimed that her three monkeys of various species were "emotional support animals."

With a clear understanding of the lack of regulation of the use of monkeys as service animals, I felt compelled to reply. My Letter to the Editor was published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on September 22nd.

On September 23rd, that letter lead to an on-air interview with Kevin Killeen, a journalist at St. Louis AM radio station KMOX. I don't have a link to provide to that, but I was pleased to share the facts about the difficulties and cruelties inherent in keeping monkeys in human homes, and the fallacies of the "emotional support" and service animal industries.

Researching The Founders: Gloria Grow

At this point in my career, I've visited just about every reputable primate sanctuary in North America, but there was one I hadn't been to: Fauna Foundation. Fauna Foundation is in Quebec and was the first to accept HIV-positive laboratory chimpanzees in the late '90's. They also care for a number of chimpanzees retired from sign language studies, as well as some monkeys and various farm animals.

I had to go to the sanctuary for a work meeting this month, so I was more than happy when Gloria Grow, its founder and director, agreed to meet with me the following day so I could interview her.

The sanctuary is lovely - a true paradise with expansive views and pastoral settings.

I think the most memorable moment was seeing chimpanzees using sign language to communicate with caregivers. In this case, it was chimpanzee Tatu asking for an apple, and then signing "cool" when she was able to enjoy her apple. I knew chimpanzees were capable of this, of course, but seeing it with my own two eyes was something else.

I'm so grateful to not only spend time in these places, but to promote their work and lifesaving missions. If everyone lived like The Founders, the world would be a better place.

Letter published in The Laurinburg Express

This week, I was horrified to come across an August article in North Carolina's The Laurinburg Express that highlighted the work of a facility that deemed itself a sanctuary - but that promoted the private ownership of monkeys. Photos accompanying the article featured monkeys dressed in human clothing and being paraded out for photoshoots and events in public areas.

My work on behalf of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance is often focused on the differences between accredited, reputable sanctuaries and other facilities (often called pseudo-sanctuaries) who may call themselves a sanctuary while engaging in exploitive activities. It is important to publicly correct misleading information on this topic, because it's the only way to ensure that true sanctuaries can be recognized and supported for their important and lifesaving work.

Fully aware that many members of the general public don't recognize these distinctions, I dashed off a letter to the editor of the paper. It was published within a few days, and I am grateful that the paper did not edit my letter down, even though it was over the allotted word count. Read my letter here.

Researching The Founders: Shirley McGreal

The fourth trip I took to research and interview sanctuary founders for my new book was to South Carolina. There, nestled in an unassuming and leafy green suburb, is the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) - one of the very first primate sanctuaries in North America.

It was lovely to live on-site with Dr. Shirley McGreal, the sanctuary's founder, and spend a few days with her. We took many slow strolls around the sanctuary grounds, accompanied always by the gentle hoots of her 34 gibbons.

There was so much history there, and Shirley was a wealth of information about her many decades with the sanctuary.

I had never been to IPPL. I'm so glad I was able to visit finally experience it.

Dr. McGreal is a legend in not only the primate sanctuary community, but in animal rights as well. Her work spans the globe and will continue to influence generations of primate protectors to come.

Thank you to the New England Anti-Vivisection Society for their generous support of The Founders!

Researching The Founders: Patti Ragan

After spending some time at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary, I drove 3.5 hours down to central Florida for part two of this trip - to interview Patti Ragan, founder of Center for Great Apes.

I was fortunate to once again stay on-site on sanctuary housing. The Center for Great Apes is a magical wonderland of exotic plants and even more exotic animals, and I had to pinch myself about getting to sleep there!

As Patti drove me around on a golf cart and talked to me about her life, we collected edible flowers that had dropped and saved them for the chimps to snack on later.

We were observed around every bend. I loved it.

Thank you to New England Anti-Vivisection Society for funding this trip, and my future trips as I interview sanctuary founders for this book. Your support is invaluable! Sending you all the Chimpanzee Love (check out the photo below...)

Researching The Founders: Kari Bagnall

I recently hopped a plane to Florida for the second of my trips to interview the subjects of The Founders (my second book, now in development. More information can be found here.) 

There are two sanctuaries in Florida whose founders I planned to interview, the first of which was Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary. Its founder, Kari Bagnall, is a colleague and friend of mine through my years of work with NAPSA. I was excited to spend some time with her. She was a gracious host and was happy to talk with me about her sanctuary's history and founding.

I stayed on site in sanctuary housing, and was thrilled to see a familiar book set out in their library!

Similar to when I recapped my first interview for The Founders, there's not many details I can share at this time about what I learned and plan to write about. What I can share, though, are photos of beautiful monkeys I met on my sanctuary tour!

Every monkey at Jungle Friends is rescued from laboratory research or the exotic pet trade.

Monk Monk, a white-faced capuchin

Each one has a distinct personality.

Monk Monk again

A capuchin monkey

A think this is once again Monk Monk! She was very photogenic.

They all were curious about me, a newcomer. I was careful to give them space and not startle them, only approaching those who did not seem threatened or frightened.

A capuchin

Squirrel monkeys

This trip was made possible thanks to a grant from New England Anti-Vivisection Society. It is thanks to their generosity that I was able to begin my travel and research finally!  

 A squirrel monkey

I can't wait to share my book with the world, so I can tell how this wonderful facility grew to be a home for over 300 monkeys.

A capuchin

Researching The Founders: Martine Collette

I've been eager to start my next project for months now. There were some things holding it up at times, but I can now say that I am working on my second book! Tentatively titled The Founders, each chapter would provide an intimate glimpse into the life-altering moment that resulted in the development of a primate sanctuary – and ultimately, the saving of many lives.  

Researching this book involves interviewing sanctuary founders all over the country. Partial funding was generously provided by New England Anti-Vivisection Society, for which I am extremely grateful.

My first trip was the shortest - to Wildlife Waystation, on the outskirts of Los Angeles in Sylmar, CA, where I interviewed its founder, Martine Colette.

I can't share many details (guess you'll have to read the book!) but I can say that it was definitely not a normal day for me - full of expansive mountain views, ancient cacti, and exotic species.

Some of Martine's extensive collection of memorabilia: casts of hands of different primate species.

I look forward to sharing news of the trips to follow! I have much to do but look forward to every second.

Interviewed in AP article

The past two weeks, I was in close contact with an Associated Press journalist who was writing about monkey retirement. It was information that was new to her, and so she had many questions. I was pleased to see that her final article, which ran in over 100 outlets (including the Washington Post), did a pretty good job covering the real issues involved in this complex topic.

Note that although the article claims the most common primate species in sanctuaries are chimpanzees, capuchins and squirrel monkeys, this is only true for NAPSA member sanctuaries. It is not true for all sanctuaries.

The article mentioned a new bill that was introduced last month by Indiana Representative Jackie Walorski that requires federal agencies to develop a policy permitting animals no longer needed in research to be retired to sanctuaries. So much has changed in the last ten years when it comes to primate research. I hope guaranteed retirement is also on the horizon.

Guest on Prime Mate Podcast - Again!

I had so much fun back in March when I was the featured guest on Prime Mates podcast's Episode 38 - Hollywood's Primates: Where Are They Now. I was thrilled when its host, comedian Matt Stewart, invited me back for another episode.

Episode 51 - Full House was equally entertaining to record, and (I think) equally entertaining to listen to!

Our conversation was centered around a 1992 episode of the show Full House that featured a performing chimpanzee, playing the role of "Ginger", the pet of an ancillary character. However, as usual, the discussion veered off track and though I was able to share a good amount of information about primate exploitation, we were also able to goof around too.

I had many laughs all throughout this experience. Because listener feedback continues to be very positive, Matt wants to have me back as a recurring guest. Music to my ears!

Guest on Prime Mates Podcast

I did something fun recently. I recorded my first podcast!

To be clear, it's not my podcast. I was a guest expert on it. What made it extra fun was that not only was it primates-related, but it was hosted by a comedian, so I was able to relax and joke around a bit more than I usually do when interviewed.

The podcast, Prime Mates, focuses on primates in entertainment. After I checked it out and determined that it didn't promote their use in entertainment (only discuss it, and often with a sympathetic bent) I thought it would be a great way for me to promote the need for sanctuary care for post-entertainer apes and monkeys. The host of the podcast, Matt Stewart, agreed.

It was a really great experience recording with Matt - even though he's based in Australia and we did it all via Skype! Feedback to the episode is very positive ("Great guesting. Very informative." "Great episode." "Wow this is a really good episode! What a great guest.") We are already discussing my return on another episode, and I'm really hoping it happens soon!

Listen to the podcast here.

Interviewed in The Dodo

Chimpanzees recently escaped their enclosures at the Belfast Zoo, and as frightening as that is, the situation went about as well as it could have: the chimpanzees wandered around, didn't hurt anyone, didn't go out of the zoo, and eventually returned to their habitat peacefully.

I'm not exactly sure why this escape didn't go horribly wrong, but I'm so grateful it didn't!

The Dodo wrote about the event, and asked me to weigh in.

An escape is definitely one of the more frightening things that an animal care facility faces, but emergency plans can ensure that it is handled with minimal distress and hopefully - as in Belfast - no trauma.

Jane Goodall Institute Chimpanzee Welfare Conference

This winter I was excited to get an invitation to attend a meeting on chimpanzee welfare at the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) offices in the Washington, DC area. I had never before been to their offices and it was an honor to be included in the small group of international experts gathering there.

The real Jane was traveling, so this was her replacement.

This conference served to bring chimpanzee welfare experts together to help deepen and
center the work of JGI, as well as to clarify the extent of this work on a global scale. Topics explored included JGI’s chimpanzee welfare strategy, the institutional role and the landscape of animal rights, animal protection and welfare, and unifying efforts, outreach and partnerships.

I was there representing the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance (NAPSA). NAPSA ties were also represented by two members of our Council of Professionals and a founding member of our Steering Committee:

Steve Ross (Lincoln Park Zoo), Patti Ragan (Center for Great Apes), myself and Gregg Tully (PASA)

Also in attendance were directors, founders and representatives from Tchimpounga, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Arcus Foundation, Stichting Animal Advocacy and Protection, the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Center for Great Apes, Detroit Zoo, Lincoln Park Zoo, Pan African Sanctuary Alliance and Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection. Attendees came from just about every corner of the globe - from Africa to the Netherlands to Argentina.

Jenny Desmond, a founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection

Patti Ragan (Center for Great Apes), Gregg Tully (Pan African Sanctuary Alliance), Jenny Desmond (Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection) and myself

Last year I was on the Founding Committee for the first ever World Chimpanzee Day. This meeting at JGI also attracted the other three founding members. It was so neat to meet in person, when normally we're spread out all over the world.

Steve Ross (Lincoln Park Zoo), myself,
Jenny Desmond (Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection), Shawn Sweeney (JGI)

I always feel a mixture of inspiration and energy mixed with confidence when I'm in a group like this. It's a great feeling to be surrounded by like-minded people, and it's humbling to see what they all have accomplished and continue to do. I was lucky to be there with them and I think our brainstorming sessions and collective advice will help guide the future work of the Jane Goodall Institute.