Chimpanzees freed after 30 Years as Lab Animals

THIS is the moment a group of chimpanzees sees daylight for the first time in 30 years — after being locked in cages for medical testing.

The animals hugged each other in delight before they took their first steps outside.

Emotional footage, above, shows how they reacted to their new surroundings.

The outing marked the end of a 14-year bid to re-integrate the 38 primates after they spent most of their lives cooped up inside.

One commentator said: "They hugged as if saying, 'We're finally free'. And then they laughed."

The chimpanzees were taken from their mothers shortly after their births and brought to a research facility in Austria.

Scientists kept the animals in isolation and gave them HIV and hepatitis. Their ordeal finally ended in 1997 when the pharmaceutical company behind the research was sold.

The chimps were moved to a farm where keepers tried to reintroduce them to life outside — but the process was not easy.

The animals had spent so much time inside they were confused when shown patches of grass — and repeatedly threw them away.

But finally their moment of freedom came. And their keeper Renate Foidl said: "The chimps are incredibly happy. This is amazing, I have been waiting for this moment for so long."

The use of chimps for scientific research has been controversial.

Earlier this year, a hot debate was sparked in New Mexico when animal rights activists demanded the release of 180 working chimps to a sanctuary.

Let's Stop Goose Torture in This Traditional German Game.

The carnival unions in Germany have a 400-year-old carnival tradition called "Gaensereiten." Gaensereiten is a ritual that involves men on horseback trying to tear the head off a goose that hangs from a noose just within reach.

Over the years, this tradition has become slightly more humane in Germany. Currently, the goose is killed before the parade rather than being hanged live and tortured to death by the pulling.

Time Magazine gives a great description on the tradition that is being revived worldwide.

One of our concerned members has started a petition against this cruel act. She is not asking for the tradition to stop, but for mock geese to be used. Even though the geese are killed ahead of time in Germany now, she believes this tradition is still out of line and we are teaching our children it is okay to kill animals for entertainment.

Below is a message from the petition author Elena:


"Please help us in protesting against the German 'Gaensereiten' (goose pulling). It is a medieval tradition in Bochum and we're of the opinion that it's irresponsible to teach children what we're 'allowed' to do with animals or their corpses. The goose is killed before, but it's a rape of the goose's dead body and really needless. We want that there be alternatives used. Thank you!"


To prevent our children from believing it is all right to treat animals this way, sign this petition to get mock geese to be used in place of the real bird.

Charges Upgraded For Patrick's Owner.

It's the seventh day of recovery for Patrick, the emaciated Pit bull who was shoved into a trash bag and thrown down the garbage chute of a 22 story apartment building in Newark, New Jersey.

The dog was rescued just minutes before being hurdled into the building's trash compactor by a maintenance worker who noticed the bag moving.

When the worker ripped open the plastic bag, the young red pit bull terrier inside was a mere skeleton of a dog. He was cold and near death. Someone had starved him and thrown him out with the garbage!!

The dog was rushed by animal control officers to the Associated Humane Societies and Popcorn Park Zoo where his rescuers named him Patrick, because he was found the day before St. Patrick's Day.

Soon after, Patrick was transferred to nearby Garden State Veterinary Specialties where he is currently receiving intensive care.

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Patrick, the dog who is recovering after being nearly starved to death and tossed down the garbage chute of a New Jersey apartment has no idea that forces have been working on his behalf to get justice for his horrific abuse.

This week charges against the dog's owner were upgraded to include "torture and torment of a living creature" which carries a much stiffer sentence.

Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray upgraded the animal cruelty charges against Kisha Curtis to a fourth-degree criminal charge that carries a sentence of 18 months in jail and/or a $3,000 fine if she is convicted.

Curtis is currently being held at the Passaic County jail on $10,000 bail.

Col. Frank Rizzo of the New Jersey SPCA left the following statement on the Patrick's page on the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey website.

"Please let this serve as an update on the Patrick the Pitbull case against Kisha Curtis. After careful consideration, we have decided to upgrade the charges against Ms. Curtis from disorderly persons offenses to indictable offense 4:22-17 (b)1 - torment and torture. The public must know that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior towards animals in the State of N J and we will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law."

While all of this legal action took place, Patrick continued with his recovery and reached several big triumphs.

• On March 29 Patrick began wagging his tail when he saw staff members at Garden State Veterinary Specialists where he is being cared for. Manager Bruce Sanchez said, "He is truly becoming a real dog again."
• On March 30 Patrick gave kisses when his rescuers at the Associated Humane Societies of New Jersey came for a visit. The dog also gained 2 ¼ pounds.
• On March 31 Patrick was eating enough food for a 50 pound dog, which is what his weight should be.

During the week Patrick has also had a steady stream of visitors from the media and the public to wish him well and bring him lots of treats and toys.