A haven for throw-aways

by Troy Seidle
December 1999 newsletter

"Only if we can understand can we care;
Only if we care will we help;
Only if we help shall all be saved."
-- Dr. Jane Goodall --

For most animals in laboratories, the end of an experiment also marks the end of their brief lives. In the case of chimpanzees and some other non-human primates, however, this is less often the situation. For while some scientists are perfectly willing to expose these animals to barren living conditions and invasive experimental manipulations, they seem curiously reluctant to end the animals’ misery at the conclusion of an experiment.

So for many non-human primates used in experiments, ‘life’ too often involves being ‘recycled’ between various fields of investigation - or simply being incarcerated in a laboratory until a need once again arises for their ‘services’. For animals who can live for several decades in captivity, this is truly a fate worse than death.

For the rare few, however, there is hope.

Over this past summer, I was fortunate enough to visit the Fauna Foundation - a sanctuary dedicated to creating a caring environment for chimpanzees formerly used in biomedical research in the United States*, as well as neglected and abused animals from farms and circuses. Located on the south shore of Montréal, this 103-acre environmental sanctuary provides shelter for some 400 animals, and seeks to foster improved public understanding and respect for these creatures.

Having participated on a number of assessments of Canadian research institutions, I’ve seen first-hand what years in captivity can do to animals. When I arrived at the Fauna Foundation, I couldn’t help but wonder how the chimps would behave. Would they be completely neurotic? How would they react to a stranger who, for all they knew, could be coming to take them back to a research laboratory?

To my amazement, I was greeted by a building full of playful, lively, friendly chimps. Although a couple of the individuals continued to exhibit residual stereotypic behaviours from their days in research, none were consumed by them. In fact, the animals all appeared to be quite content and well adjusted.

Having spent most of their lives confined to a steel cage in a sterile laboratory, the chimpanzees clearly reveled in the care and affection afforded them by sanctuary life. The Fauna Foundation ensures that these chimpanzees enjoy their ‘retirement’ in a caring environment in which they are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The Fauna Foundation is truly a testament to the effectiveness of rehabilitation for former laboratory subjects. Anyone who doubts the need to give research animals a second chance at life need only spend a day at this sanctuary in the company of these wonderful creatures.

Troy Seidle is chair of the CFHS Experimental Animals Committee and a CFHS representative to the Canadian Council on Animal Care.

* Note: No chimpanzees are used in biomedical research in Canada.