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Action Projects Birds, Mammals, & Amphibians A possible project for those interested in the ethical treatment of non-human animal species Submitted by: Contact: Correlations to CA State Content Standards for Science: Correlations to CA State Content Standards fo Social Studies: Animals have been a part of the entertainment industry for many years. From domestic animals to wild, they have been featured in films, advertising, television, and almost any other type of media you can imagine. Recently, as our society and scientific community has become more aware of the potential that many animals species have for intelligence and emotion, questions are arising as to the ethical use of animals in the entertainment industry. Dr. Jane Goodall, renowned primatologist, has spent nearly 40 years in the rainforests of Tanzania documenting the presence of intelligence, emotion and primitive culture in our closest non-human relatives and the chimpanzees. Many environmental and animal welfare organizations have recently spoken out against the 'Chimp Channel' programs, currently being produced by the Turner Broadcasting System. Dr. Jane Goodall has criticized the Chimp Channel's use of chimpanzees to portray human characters in parodies of various films and television programs and her grounds being that despite efforts at control by animal welfare authorities, the chimps are not always treated with care and respect throughout the training and filming process, and more often than not, fear and sometimes pain are the only methods for controlling the animal (chimps, when full-grown are several times stronger than humans the chimps you see on screen are generally quite young, and the older chimps can't be 'used' after a certain age). The Jane Goodall Institute would like to encourage you to take a close look at the use of animals in the media and not only on the Chimp Channel, but also in other television shows and types of media as well.
Poll your classmates and school concerning the use of animals, particularly highly intelligent species such as primates, in programs like the Chimp Channel; ask people how they feel and what opinions they have about this trend. Research the industry and find out about the animal's training, where they come from, how they are treated, and where they go following their entertainment "career" Discuss your opinions and whether you feel any action must be taken. Clearly, there are animals in the entertainment industry that are treated well and live full and productive lives. It is up to us as consumers to make sure that this is true across the board. The first step is awareness, the second is forming an opinion and finally, if there is a need, we must take action. If you are interested in learning more about Jane Goodall's work, or the education programs of the Institute, please contact Hans Cole and Deputy Director of the Roots & Shoots Program, hansp.cole@mindspring.com or (510) 832-5263. TBS, a popular television channel run by Turner Broadcasting Inc., has ordered 13 new episodes of its "Chimp Channel and all monkeys, all the time" programs. These shows, often aired on TBS at 10:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (North America), depict chimpanzees and orangutans playing the parts of various famous characters and movie roles. The show parodies both old movies and T.V. shows, with non-human primate actors performing various ridiculous antics. Dr. Goodall has spoken out against these programs in the past, and we would like to encourage Roots & Shoots groups to get involved. If you have access to these programs, we recommend watching them and forming your own opinions. Here are some suggestions for discussion questions within your group: How do you react initially when you see the program? Is there a change in your reaction as you continue to watch? How do you feel about training and keeping non-human primates for human entertainment? Are there details about the show that you feel strongly about and why? We are constantly affected by messages from the media. If your group has opinions about this issue, you can express them! Roots & Shoots is recommending a letter-writing campaign to the TBS network. Givenenough letters, the media will listen. Address letters to:
Chimpanzees in the wild are on the verge of becoming extinct. Commercial logging companies and the ever-expanding human population are destroying their natural forest homes. Adult and infant chimpanzees are being hunted for meat and smuggled out of Africa by illegal poachers. Many of these chimps die of shock, malnutrition, or injuries, while those who survive are often ill-treated as pets or attractions in hotels and bars. Captive chimps are chained and even shot when they become adults, as they pose potential indoor danger to their owners. An adult chimp is nearly six times as strong as a human adult.
The Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) is working with African communities and governments to protect the remaining wild chimpanzees, and to save and care for orphan chimps. Four chimpanzee sanctuaries have been created in Tanzania, Uganda, Congo-Brazzaville, and Kenya to provide these injured and abused chimps with a safe haven. Guarded and maintained by trained caregivers, the sanctuaries allow chimps to roam freely, recover from injuries and live once again in natural forest habitats. There they are also given medical attention and receive proper nourishment and care. Caring for and feeding chimps is an expensive job. Would you like to help JGI save and protect the chimp population? Join the Chimp Guardian Program and adopt your own chimp! Become a guardian to a chimp in the sanctuary of your choosing. Your donation will provide for one year of food, medical attention, and care for your selected chimp. Guardians receive a photograph and biography of their selected chimp, as well as a chimp poster, a certificate of guardianship signed by Jane Goodall, and information on the sanctuaries.
To become a Chimp Guardian and learn more about the Chimp Guardian
Program, please contact the local JGI representative: |
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