URGENT: Tell the Government That You Support Regulations That Protect Chimpanzees – Sample Letter

BACKGROUND | FROM PETA

For too long, there has been a loophole in federal regulations that allows notorious animal abusers and inexperienced individuals to use endangered chimpanzees for purely commercial purposes and in horrific laboratory experiments. They have been able to get away with this for so long because, under current Endangered Species Act regulations, only wild chimpanzees are afforded the desperately needed protections that chimpanzees deserve.

Fortunately, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed an amendment that would remove this major exemption and protect both wild and captive chimpanzees, and the agency wants to know what you think by October 31.

PETA supports this new rule for the protection of both captive animals and wild populations. Such changes can help protect animals who currently are forced to perform confusing and unnatural tricks in the name of entertainment and who suffer at the hands of callous researchers. Furthermore, this correction would prevent future generations of chimpanzees from being exploited.

The FWS is asking the public for its thoughts on this proposed change to federal regulations and will accept comments until the end of the day on October 31. Such feedback is extremely important, as it influences officials when they are determining their course of action. Please speak up for chimpanzees everywhere by letting the FWS know that you support this important amendment!

Please take a moment to visit the comments page for this proposed regulation and politely urge the FWS to grant captive chimpanzees the same protections currently afforded to wild chimpanzees. Feel free to use the form letter below, but personalized comments are always preferred.


WHOM TO CONTACT

1. Click on regulations.gov
2. Enter your information (only the comment is required)
3. Copy the below comment, or compose your own, and enter it into the comment field
4. Click Submit

SAMPLE COMMENT

I am writing in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s proposed amendment to the regulations of the Endangered Species Act that would grant captive chimpanzees the same protections currently afforded to wild chimpanzees (Docket No. FWS-R9-ES-2010-0086).

As it stands, this exemption has allowed breeders and exhibitors to indiscriminately harm, harass, and wound these animals. I agree with the proposed rule for the reasons stated by the FWS and support a prohibition on engaging in the import or export, sale or offer for sale, interstate or foreign commerce in the course of a commercial activity, or taking of endangered chimpanzees.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.

Sincerely,

RELATED | UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATION AT RESEARCH LAB

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Why is it that
All day and night
To do what is
Right
We have to fight
When it is basic
Common sense
That kindness is
It’s own recompense

Karen Lyons Kalmenson