Bullock Texas State History Museum
Story Just Raises More Questions
RECEIVED Sat., Dec. 16, 2006
Dear Editor,
The story on Primarily Primates ("Famous Long Ago," News, Dec. 15) raises more questions than it answers.
Has PETA ever financially supported Primarily Primates? If PETA wanted them to have a veterinarian on site, why didn't they simply write a check instead of filing a costly (to both sides) lawsuit?
Why no mention of the various animals that have died or become ill during Theisen-Watt's watch? There is quite a large number of stories to tell in a mere two months.
Where are the 250 animals who have been removed from Primarily Primates? Are they all still alive? Or just some?
Has the liquidation plan been thwarted? What is the current value of the Primarily Primates real estate?
Why would PETA want to see any chimpanzees sent to Chimp Haven, which is not a sanctuary, but rather a government scheme to subsidize experimentation? It houses chimpanzees that can be recalled into research at any time, under the federal CHIMP Act that Clinton signed in 2000.
Lynn Cuny of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, according to a Houston Press story ("The Great EscApe" by Carol Flake Chapman, Feb. 15, 2001), defended Primarily Primates in 1992 and "arranged to have Primarily Primates inspected by a Dallas zookeeper and prominent primatologist Carol Noone. Noone concluded that there were no signs of animal neglect or mistreatment." Why is Cuny now saying that at that time she encouraged people to take their complaints to the authorities?
Why has no evidence been produced regarding the pretext for the takeover – the alleged mismanagement of funds?
Why not clarify who shot Betty? It was Terry Minchew, the very person on whose allegations PETA relied to initiate legal action.
Alternatives were available. Yet Minchew used this act in allegations against the refuge.
Why doesn't Theisen-Watt mention that Oliver doesn't live with other chimpanzees for his own safety? The elderly chimpanzee is blind and also had a mild stroke, which can affect motor skills. Too much space means it's difficult to get regular medications to Oliver.
If PETA repeats their false allegations enough, will people believe them?
The story on Primarily Primates ("Famous Long Ago," News, Dec. 15) raises more questions than it answers.
Has PETA ever financially supported Primarily Primates? If PETA wanted them to have a veterinarian on site, why didn't they simply write a check instead of filing a costly (to both sides) lawsuit?
Why no mention of the various animals that have died or become ill during Theisen-Watt's watch? There is quite a large number of stories to tell in a mere two months.
Where are the 250 animals who have been removed from Primarily Primates? Are they all still alive? Or just some?
Has the liquidation plan been thwarted? What is the current value of the Primarily Primates real estate?
Why would PETA want to see any chimpanzees sent to Chimp Haven, which is not a sanctuary, but rather a government scheme to subsidize experimentation? It houses chimpanzees that can be recalled into research at any time, under the federal CHIMP Act that Clinton signed in 2000.
Lynn Cuny of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, according to a Houston Press story ("The Great EscApe" by Carol Flake Chapman, Feb. 15, 2001), defended Primarily Primates in 1992 and "arranged to have Primarily Primates inspected by a Dallas zookeeper and prominent primatologist Carol Noone. Noone concluded that there were no signs of animal neglect or mistreatment." Why is Cuny now saying that at that time she encouraged people to take their complaints to the authorities?
Why has no evidence been produced regarding the pretext for the takeover – the alleged mismanagement of funds?
Why not clarify who shot Betty? It was Terry Minchew, the very person on whose allegations PETA relied to initiate legal action.
Alternatives were available. Yet Minchew used this act in allegations against the refuge.
Why doesn't Theisen-Watt mention that Oliver doesn't live with other chimpanzees for his own safety? The elderly chimpanzee is blind and also had a mild stroke, which can affect motor skills. Too much space means it's difficult to get regular medications to Oliver.
If PETA repeats their false allegations enough, will people believe them?
Noah Lewis
Correspondent, Friends of Animals
Darien, Conn.
Correspondent, Friends of Animals
Darien, Conn.
