[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E331]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CAPTIVE PRIMATE SAFETY ACT

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                               speech of

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 23, 2009

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 80, the 
Captive Primate Safety Act. This timely legislation would help ensure 
the safety of not only chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates, but for 
humans as well.
  This legislation would keep chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates 
out of the pet trade and out of pet shops and out of our homes. In 
effect, this bill would prevent nonhuman primates from becoming pets, 
and instead, keep them in their natural environment or in a properly 
maintained facility.
  There are several reasons why we must pass this legislation.
  First, pet chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates can be very 
dangerous, even after years of attentive care.
  The recent horrific attack by a pet chimpanzee reminds us that no 
matter how much care a well-intentioned pet owner gives a pet 
chimpanzee, chimpanzees and nonhuman primates remain wild animals.
  Second, most people can not provide the appropriate care for 
chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates.
  Last year I had the privilege to hear Jane Goodall testify at Natural 
Resources Committee legislative hearing in support of the Captive 
Primate Safety Act.
  Dr. Goodall has dedicated her life to ensuring captive primates 
receive the attention and care they deserve, and that is why she 
strongly opposes having primates as pets.
  She testified that although chimpanzees may seem attractive as pets, 
primates have complicated needs that are impossible for even well-
intentioned pet owners to provide. For example, by the age of five, 
chimpanzees are often stronger than human adults and become 
destructive, difficult to contain, and dangerous.
  Let us follow Jane Goodall's lead and work to protect these animals, 
not subject them to inadequate conditions.
  Third, as a nurse, I am greatly concerned with the public health risk 
posed by nonhuman primates. Nonhuman primates are so genetically close 
to humans, diseases can easily transfer from nonhuman primates to 
humans. Zoonotic diseases have produced some of our history's most 
deadly disease epidemics: the plague, the ebola virus, and cholera, to 
name a few. It is clear, when we have unnecessary contact with nonhuman 
primates, we carelessly jeopardize the public's health.
  Finally, chimpanzees and other nonhuman primates are wild animals, 
they do not belong in our homes or in pet shops. No matter how much 
love and attention nonhuman primates are given, they remain complex, 
wild, and unpredictable animals.
  The Captive Primate Safety Act is good legislation for both primates 
and people. It will add primates to the list of wildlife species 
prohibited from interstate or foreign commerce and thus, keep nonhuman 
primates out of the pet trade.
  Thank you and I urge all of my colleagues to join me in the 
supporting this timely legislation.

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