Monkeys Belong in Rain Forests, Not on Film Sets, Says Dr. Shirley McGreal
For Immediate Release:
September 14, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
In response to the news that Cameron Crowe's upcoming film, We Bought a Zoo, heavily features a capuchin monkey and other wild animals, Dr. Shirley McGreal, the chairperson of the Summerville-based International Primate Protection League, has sent the director an urgent letter to urge him to promise never again to use primates in his films. In the letter, Dr. McGreal explains that monkeys are intelligent animals who belong in the wild—and that films like We Bought a Zoo often inspire people to mistakenly seek out monkeys to keep as "pets," only to cast them off when it proves difficult to care for them.
"These animals are extremely intelligent, and sadly there is a big pet trade exploiting them. Baby monkeys doomed to live as pets are taken away from their loving mothers at birth and sold into the homes of humans who try to make them conform to human expectations, such as wearing diapers," writes Dr. McGreal. "Please don't use monkeys in any more movies and encourage the horrible trade in pet monkeys."
For more information, please visit PETA.org and IPPL.org.
Dr. Shirley McGreal's letter to Cameron Crowe follows.
8 September 2011
Cameron Crowe
Director, “We Bought a Zoo”
Hollywood CA
Dear Mr. Crowe,
I am writing you on behalf of the International Primate Protection League and its 14,000 supporters in over 60 nations, all united by the desire to protect the world‟s monkeys from cruelty and abuse at human hands.
I am extremely disappointed that you have chosen to exploit a capuchin monkey and other wild animals in your movie “We Bought a Zoo.” Capuchin monkeys belong in the rain-forests of South America, not in Hollywood studios. These animals are extremely intelligent and sadly there is a big pet trade exploiting them. Baby monkeys doomed to live as pets are taken away from their loving mothers at birth and sold into the homes of humans who try to make them conform to human expectations such as wearing diapers – there are no diaper trees in the jungle.
Often the hapless pet monkeys have their teeth removed when they get old enough to bite. To see some photos of the damage fully-toothed and even detoothed capuchins can inflict, take a look at the „testimonials” section of www.petmonkeyinfo.org
I believe that your making this movie may well increase the demand for monkey pets who often end up cast off by their owners. Monkey sanctuaries are full and many cast-off pet monkeys end up in research labs, sub-standard menageries, or other horrible places.
Please also think more carefully before making foolish comments, for example, “She is not just the hottest actress around, but also the most compelling.”
Please don‟t use monkeys in any more movies and encourage the horrible trade in pet monkeys. I should appreciate your prompt assurance on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Shirley McGreal OBE
Chairwoman,
International Primate Protection League