Activists have been fighting inhumane treatment for years, in spite of attempts by the media, politicians, and industry leaders to represent them as a few bleeding heart liberals or extremists. But the large number of people who are members of humane organizations demonstrates that a significant portion of the population puts compassion before profit. Chimps are confined for decades in tiny cages. An example of an animal who has been championed by many caring people is the chimpanzee. There may be no animal more abused by our culture.
Chimpanzees are humans' closest living cousins.
They have more than 98 percent of our genetic code. These intelligent, social beings have a distinct language amongst themselves as well as distinct cultures. Research has shown that they plan for the future, teach their young, use tools, and make moral choices. Chimpanzees in captivity have been taught American Sign Language, and they even pass their acquired language skills on to their children. There are over 1,100 chimps in federally sponsored laboratories.