As Program Director of the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance, I am often response for quickly identifying and reacting to instances of primate exploitation in the media. Oftentimes, smaller publications reporting on an event or attraction don't always recognize that they are inadvertently promoting something harmful, and it can be helpful when primate experts point this out to them.
The Ocala Star Banner printed had an article about an animal care facility (note that I am not using the term "sanctuary") that was holding public painting classes featuring ring-tailed lemurs running loosely over the attendees. While permitting public contact with primate species is always frowned upon by experts, to be doing this during a national pandemic that has been proven to jump across the species line is particularly irresponsible.
I wrote a letter to the paper, who then published it as a guest column. I am grateful that they reacted in concern and appreciation for my advice, and I hope that people who read the article came away leaning a bit more about what a true sanctuary does and does not do with the animals in its care.
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