Primates in Entertainment

A recent episode of NBC’s 30 Rock featured a young gibbon named “Little Jenna” dressed in human clothing and toted around like a doll. The gibbon is also featured on NBC’s website promoting a “Best Dressed Pets” contest, which irresponsibly promotes keeping primates as pets. Gibbons used for entertainment, and kept as pets, suffer greatly. They are taken from their mothers at birth, causing irreversible psychological harm. Gibbons cannot be tamed, and when they approach adulthood they become aggressive and can no longer be controlled by humans. They often suffer painful surgical procedures such as dental extractions and amputation of fingers and toes to make them less dangerous around humans. When trainers are done with them, they are dumped at roadside zoos or backyard menageries, often doomed to live out the rest of their lives in solitary confinement. Gibbons can live up to 40 years, but the entertainment industry is done with them by the time they’re 8 years old. Please send a letter or email to NBC letting them know that gibbons are not props and shouldn’t be exploited for a cheap laugh. Please mention the consequences of exploiting apes for entertainment, and point out that promoting the keeping of primates as pets is irresponsible and offensive.

Contact Information:
Mr. Jeff Zucker, President
NBC Entertainment
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
(818) 840-4444

Or leave feedback at: http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/
Sample Letter:

Dear Mr. Zucker:

I was shocked and disappointed that NBC’s 30 Rock featured a young gibbon in a recent episode and also for marketing purposes on NBC’s website for the “Best Dressed Pets” contest. Gibbons cannot be tamed and suffer greatly when exploited for entertainment. They often suffer painful surgical procedures such as dental extractions and amputation of fingers to make them less dangerous around humans. When they approach adulthood they become aggressive and are typically dumped at roadside zoos and other substandard facilities to live out the rest of their long lives in misery. Further, gibbons are an endangered species and using them for entertainment purposes serious hinders conservation efforts and sends the inappropriate message that primates make good pets. I hope you will terminate this irresponsible web promotion and choose never to exploit apes for entertainment purposes again. I look forward to hearing from you on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]