Could There Be Hope of Permanent Refuge for Kermit’s Community at Chimp Haven?

On Wednesday June 4, 2008 Emma and Jackson, who were brief companions to Harper and Emma at PPI, were finally secured the future they deserve at Chimps Inc., in Bend, Oregon. These 2 chimpanzees as well as 9 gibbons, now retired at IPPL (International Primate Protection League), were a part of a legal battle similar to that involving Kermit’s Community. Thankfully, PPI/FoA have agreed to a settlement allowing these innocent animals to remain, permanently, at the respected sanctuaries. Click here to read more: http://www.kohd.com/article.aspx?id=39002

At PPI Emma and Jackson were housed in the small enclosure attached to the garage of Wally Swett’s house that Harper and Emma lived in for months before learning to escape the enclosure multiple times. This enclosure stood less that 8 feet high and had a substrate of pea gravel that reached temperatures exceeding 115 degrees. The indoor housing had no light, little ventilation and was literally caked with feces. The wooden door had a single padlock. The atypical behaviors exhibited by Emma and Jackson that were observed during the court appointed receivership shocked those who had even the most basic knowledge of chimpanzee behavior.

When the receiver was given the authority to move the animals that were in need of immediate rescue, Kermit’s Community, Emma and Jackson, and 12 gibbons were relocated to facilities better equipped to provide a lifetime of care. Thankfully Chimps Inc. opened their arms to Emma and Jackson and IPPL opened their doors to the gibbons.

Supporters of Kermit’s Community are encouraged by the actions taken by PPI/FoA and hope that the same respect for life is given to Sheba, Sarah, Keeli, Ivy, Harper and Emma and the efforts to return them to PPI cease.