NBC’s ‘Animal Practice’ Exploits Wild Animals for Cheap Laughs
BACKGROUND
NBC’s upcoming television series Animal Practice features a number of wild animals, including a capuchin monkey named Crystal as a main character on the show. Monkeys like Crystal who are used for entertainment are taken away from their mothers shortly after birth—a practice that is deeply cruel to both the baby and the mother and that denies the infants the maternal care and nurturing that they need.
The “smile” that Crystal exhibits on the show is actually an expression that indicates fear and stress in capuchin monkeys. Capuchin expert Dr. Eduardo Ottoni states, “In the case of monkeys like Crystal, who lead complex social lives in nature, raising them in captivity means to condemn them to a life of utter loneliness. And since we do not usually understand their communicative behaviors properly, fear, submission, or avoidance displays can easily be mistaken for ‘smiles.'”
Primate sanctuaries tell us that they are “gearing up” for the influx of discarded monkeys that will inevitably result from Crystal’s appearance on the show. When a monkey was featured as a series regular on Friends several years ago, sanctuaries were flooded with “pet” monkeys after the misguided owners realized that they were wholly unprepared to meet these complex animals’ specialized needs.
Please do not watch Animal Practice—and be sure to spread the word about NBC’s cruelty to your friends, family, and coworkers. Take a moment to voice your concern about NBC’s use of Crystal and other wild animals to the chair of the company, Bob Greenblatt.
WHOM TO CONTACT
Email: nbcuniversalviewerfeedback@nbcuni.com
SUBJECT
Shame on NBC for Exploiting Wild Animals
SAMPLE MESSAGE
To Whom It Concerns,
I was very disappointed to learn that NBC’s new show Animal Practice features Crystal the monkey and other wild animals. Monkeys used for entertainment are torn away from their mothers as infants, causing severe distress and depriving the animals of essential maternal care. I will not be watching this show. Shame on NBC for using wild animals for a cheap laugh.
NAME
wild animals are not objects to be used,
so manunkind can be amused!!!
Karen Lyons Kalmenson
Why I can’t laugh? It’s horrific 😦
I’m doing and sharing, Thanks Stacey x
LikeLike
Thank you, sweetie, I agree.
LikeLike
Ilove ALL animals and advocate passionately for them all but primates have a very special place in my hearts, maybe its because im a primate lol this really angers me and i DONT see the humor in animals being abused and exploited email sent and share in several places thanks Stacey as always!
LikeLike
Thank you, Florence, love.
LikeLike
Done! Who would want to watch a program like that? Boycott NBC! I explained that unknowingly they are condoning and contributing to animal cruelty … .etc, etc
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
signed and shared… I am against animal exploitation of all types… theme parks, race tracks, the circus…
LikeLike
Thank you, Lynne, that’s great to know.
LikeLike
Shame on you for causing pain to wild animals. How would you feel if you were torn from your mother and surroundings that meant survival? They have the same feelings. Crystals smile is not a smile but fear. I will not watch or support cruelty. Bet Crystals Mom was devastated when you took her. You see we follow the money train. we believe in kindness and compassion, not torture and control.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for your comments, Vicki, I agree.
LikeLike
I thought only bad things can come from a TV program featuring a cat jumping off a roof.
LikeLike
wild animals are not objects to be used,
so manunkind can be amused!!!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on delia1979.
LikeLike
Thank you, hon!
LikeLike
YW ! sweetie
LikeLike
this is vile, not funny,not clever, cruel, and how they get the poor animals is criminal !!!!!!
LikeLike
It is all vile and criminal, I agree, Linda.
LikeLike
Hi, tthis weedkend is pleasant for me, since this moment i am reading this great
educational piece of writing here at my house.
LikeLike