From Prison to Paradise: Extraordinary 2,000 Mile Journey of Hope for 55 Rescued Monkeys

"These young monkeys would have been subjected to decades behind bars in cramped stainless steel cages, forced to endure painful toxicology tests," said IDA president Scotlund Haisley. "Now they will have a life filled with fresh air, friends and freedom from harm."

The lab the monkeys came from had been repeatedly cited by the USDA for Animal Welfare Act violations and had a license to sell animals. If not for this rescue, these monkeys could very well have ended up in other labs that routinely perform extremely invasive or terminal experiments on long-tailed macaques. Published articles from 2010 describe experimentation ranging from brain lesions, invasive brain studies of auditory, motor and visual cortex, Ebola virus, stroke, plague and drug-induced seizures. These intelligent, social primates suffer when imprisoned for decades in stark lab environments. Monkeys often display clinical signs of depression and abnormal behavior including hair pulling, stereotypic circling and pacing, and even self mutilation.

The rescue was initiated by New York-based activist Camille Hankins, following an anonymous tip from a former animal caregiver at the recently closed lab. After negotiations with the company hired to liquidate the "assets" of the lab, a proposal to release the animals was accepted, with the crucial assistance of IDA pro bono attorney Kathryn Flood of the law firm Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney.

"We are proud to have played this significant role in helping to rescue these monkeys from the horrors of the lab," concluded Haisley. "These are the lucky ones. We are inspired to renew our commitment to end the institutionalized abuse that is animal experimentation."

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• in defense of animals
• monkeys
• macaque
• vivisection
• animal research
• animal testing
• Scotlund Haisley
• Elaine Hendrix

[natija08]

It's so amazing to see the monkeys in their temporary cages. They look so astonished at the sky and the green grass for the first time in their life.

Thank you very much IDA.

What do they have around their necks?

[idapdx]

@natija08 The things around their necks are collars from the research lab. They should have been removed by the lab prior to transport, but weren't. They have now all been removed and may be auctioned off at some point to help raise money for the monkey's long term care.

[oceanbuilder]

I waiting expectantly to see this ". Upon entering their new habitats they brushed their hands through the green grass, the wind blowing through their fur, and they stared up into the sun, taking in the immense blue sky for the first time."

But just still in cages? Still it was good to see them peering into the wilderness

[idapdx]

@oceanbuilder The video shows the monkeys being placed in temporary cages. Once they settle in at their new homes they'll be moved to much larger permanent enclosures - thanks for your comments and support!

[dagangsta16]

they are still in cages. show us them roaming free!

[idapdx]

@dagangsta16 The video shows the monkeys being placed in temporary cages. Once they settle in at their new homes they'll be moved to much larger permanent enclosures - thanks for your comments and support!

[kbowmanphoto]

@DReynolds3 I also love IDA, but I respectfully disagree with you about Scotlund. IDA has been an incredible org for over 25 years but it's way past due in going on to the next level...& Scotlund is just the perfect person to take it there! I have been very honored to work with this incredible rescuer & he has a way of communicating that others simply do not have. He did wonders for HSUS in enlightening the public & bringing people together for a common goal & he will do wonders for IDA as well!

[snaz27]

I'm all for saving moneys and the like, but shouldn't we first concentrate our efforts saving the humans? Then we can all focus on saving the wildlife.

That being said it is good to see them freed.

[Delia5M]

Why don't we see film of the monkeys when they were finally released into their new natural habitat? Or at least see them playing there afterwards??

I agree with other comments here. This video is not that impressive, fun or even interesting. If you want to draw more people to your cause, then you should show how the monkeys are living now.

For all we can tell here, they may still be sitting in cages with those horrible things on their necks. 6 months ago?? Plenty of time for new film.

[chardunk]

:-)

[aquabrava]

GREAT...THE EYES OF THIS MONKEYS...MADE ME CRY...I CAN´T UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH CRUELTY HAVE THIS LABS...THANK YOU!

[SueNamiii]

It kills me to see them scared to death in the lab cages, petrified that someone is about to take them out to do some horrid thing to them. And the poor little things hugging each other and rocking each other, omg :( HOW can people work in labs?! Those researchers are seriously insane. These rescuers are HEROES!!! Thank you thank you for your hard work and effort and money to save these beautiful animals!

[SueNamiii]

It kills me to see them scared to death in the lab cages, petrified that someone is about to take them out to do some horrid thing to them. And the poor little things hugging eachother and rocking each other, omg :( HOW can people work in labs?! Those researchers are seriously insane. These rescuers are HEROES!!! Thank you thank you for your hard work and effort and money to save these beautiful animals!

[Capzy]

Awesome work!

[theseventhprotocol]

Thank God for the heroes who freed the monkeys and dogs from a life of torture and isolation !!!! Stop animal research !!!!

[kubul007]

Cooool

[natija08]

@idapdx

Thank you very much for your answer.

There are so many very rich people - can't they donate a little bit of their money to help animals and poor people to live a good life?

They are only interested in earning more and more and more money. What for?