Press Release

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BELIEVE CHIMPANZEES HAVE 'COMPLEX, SOCIAL, INTELLECTUAL AND EMOTIONAL LIVES' SIMILAR TO HUMANS

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 10, 2001—A recent survey, commissioned by The Doris Day Animal League (DDAL), a national animal- welfare lobbying organization, reveals overwhelmingly that Americans believe chimpanzees and humans have much in common, and that chimps should be protected by some of the same rights extended to children.

A majority (85 percent) of those surveyed believe that chimpanzees have complex social, intellectual and emotional lives similar to humans, pointing out the awareness that chimps are social and usually live in large groups that include extended families.

The survey, conducted last month by Zogby International of Utica, N.Y., found that nearly nine in 10 Americans feel it is unacceptable to confine chimps to government-approved cages.

"It is evident from the many letters, phone calls and e-mails we receive on a daily basis that Americans are increasingly concerned for the overall welfare of chimpanzees," said Holly Hazard, executive director for DDAL.

"The chimpanzee is an animal with physical and emotional traits closely related to humans, and there are special bonds between humans and these primates. The results of the survey confirmed the unique concern and care for chimps that Americans have."

Random interviews of 1,217 adults were conducted nationwide from April 24 through April 27, 2001 (with a margin of error of +/-3 percent). Other findings include:

A little more than half of the Americans surveyed (51 percent) believe that chimps should have the same legal standing as children, with a guardian appointed to look after their interests.
Seven in 10 (69 percent) Americans would support a law that gives concerned parties the right to sue on behalf of abused chimps.
One in four (24 percent) last saw a chimp in a television documentary, 22 percent in a television commercial and 21 percent last saw a chimp in a zoo.
Although many saw those chimps confined, most respondents believe that chimpanzees should be treated as well as possible if they have to be in captivity. Nine in 10 (90 percent) told pollsters it is unacceptable to confine chimps to 5-by-5-by-7-foot cages (the legal space requirements under the Animal Welfare Act), and 80 percent believe the government should pay for permanent retirement to a primate sanctuary for chimps who are no longer used for laboratory or experimentation purposes.
When asked about the use of chimps in the entertainment industry, more than half (51 percent) say they would have no problem boycotting entertainment venues and their advertisers if it were disclosed that chimps had been physically abused to make them perform.

The Doris Day Animal League was founded in 1987 by Doris Day to seek permanent changes in local, state and federal legislation to protect animals and has successfully sponsored numerous bills. For more information on the Doris Day Animal League, please contact 202-546-1761.