SAVE THE CHIMPS SANCTUARY

Those who think there is no hope for the world due to the lack of compassion and violence committed by humans against animals, the environment and their own brothers can breath in and see that all is not lost. There is still generosity in the heart and mind of humans and these examples must be shown so that we do not dive in a deep pessimism.

“My family and I have been planning a trip to Hawaii for many, many years now. My wife Kelly and I honeymooned there 11 yrs ago. The plan was and still is to someday triumphantly return with our 2 children. We planned on the winter of 2012, we have however decided that Hawaii can wait. We are going to visit my Florida instead. We can take the $$$$’s saved on the vacation and sponsor Marc’s migration. I showed my Kelly his picture and without hesitation she said "Let’s do it".”, said Steve Gopoyan.

Marc, who is already a grandfather, and his group, formed for six chimpanzees, were arriving in Florida this weekend, despite the tropical storm named Emily that was threatening the region. Marc’s story is similar to others who are more than 40 years old: in 1970 he was caught in Africa when he was still a baby and his parents were murdered. He was used to reproduction and in laboratories. He is father of several sons that live at Florida sanctuary: Frieda, Lauryl, Liza, Megan, Moesha, Opal and Tyra, and grandsons Ritt, Kallie, Rowan, Leo and Melody. The other members of his group were also used in labs for years: Tina, Katina, Late and Kayla. These four used to live in a Wild Animals Orphanage in Texas, which was closed and sent them to the the facilities of Save the Chimps in New Mexico (at former Coulston Foundation). The sixth member of the group. Kaleb, was a chimpanzee who lived as a pet and was rescued by the sanctuary last year.

Marc’s group is parto of a larger group, with 16 chimpanzees; the other 10 will travel to Florida in the third week of August.

Apart from the Gopoyans, other couple, Karen and Don Young, also gave part of their personal economoes to help the group to go to Florida. “With this migration, and the transport of two privately owned chimps from Gainesville, we have helped 56 chimps get to Save the Chimps. We feel we have done a lot to help these very unfortunate chimps to live the rest of lives with love and dignity”, says Karen & Don Young.

These examples must inspire us that there is still Humanity and that good will overtake the bad things done by humans who do not deserve to be alive.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian
President, GAP Project International