Sad life of chimpanzee performers
January 24th, 2007 by admin
The Manatee County Fair wraps-up this weekend, and with the end of the fair six chimpanzees will get back on the road for performances at another venue somewhere else in the country. Each year, the Rosaire-Zoppe chimps travel the country performing at county fairs, boat shows and other events.
An article in last week’s Bradenton Herald claimed that the show educated audience members about endangered species. It’s true that chimpanzees are an endangered species, but it’s hard to imagine learning anything positive from the Rosaire-Zoppe show- during which chimpanzees dressed in silly costumes do somersaults and handstands, ride a pony and are pulled around a ring by a leash around their necks.
Chimpanzees used in entertainment often suffer physical and psychological abuse during training. Baby chimps are taken from their mothers at birth. Living conditions for these animals are often deplorable. The show can also be dangerous. In November 2004, a circusgoer at a Shrine circus in Indiana was taken to the hospital after being bitten by a Rosaire-Zoppe chimpanzee while posing for pictures.
Local car dealership Jenkin’s Hyundai sponsored the chimpanzee show at the Manatee County Fair. Please contact Jenkin’s Hyundai and ask them to reconsider sponsoring cruel and exploitive animal acts at next year’s fair.
Contact:
Ernie Parisi, General Manager
Jenkins Hyundai Bradenton
E-mail: ep@jenkinscars.com
Phone: (888) 207-1942
Online comment form.Also, please contact the Manatee River Fair Association and ask them not to include acts involving chimpanzees or other wild animals in future fairs:
Contact:
Daniel West, Fair Manager
E-mail: mfairadm@tampabay.rr.com and/or info@manateecountyfair.com
Phone: (941) 722-1639
Online comment form.
they were at the VA State Fair. we went to the show and left within 10 minutes. the chimps were being smacked on their heads and treated awful! they need to be stopped!
It is a crime the way some humans treat Chimpanzees…