Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, applauds the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for again passing the Captive Primate Safety Act (S. 1463). The bill prohibits interstate commerce of monkeys, apes, and other primates for the exotic pet trade. [teaserbreak]
This news follows a Born Free USA and Humane Society of the United States press conference last month with Charla Nash, who was mauled in Connecticut by her neighbor’s pet chimpanzee in 2009. Nash spoke courageously of her struggle and of the importance of this legislation.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA, “Charla Nash’s dedication to ensuring that this bill passes has clearly inspired Members of Congress to act on this legislation.”
Roberts explains, “The captive primate trade involves horrific animal suffering and serious threats to human safety. We cannot allow animals to be mutilated in the name of companionship. Furthermore, primates pose a severe threat to public safety, as tragically demonstrated by Ms. Nash’s story. They belong in the wild, not in someone’s bedroom or backyard.”
Encouraged by this progress in the Senate today, Born Free USA will continue the urgent fight to ensure that this bill is signed into law before another tragic incident occurs. The organization is calling on the full Senate to approve the bill expeditiously and for the House of Representatives to follow suit.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, the organization leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to North America the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son, Will Travers. Born Free USA’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media contact: Rodi Rosensweig, publicrelations@bornfreeusa.org, (203) 270-8929.