Wild Futures Shouts Out at the Big Bang Theory
Leading primate welfare charity Wild Futures is shouting out today for the TV series the Big Bang Theory to halt its repeated use of “performing” monkeys.
The Big Bang Theory has featured monkey “actors” on two occasions; most recently in an episode entitled ‘The workplace proximity.’ The episode features a capuchin monkey being used as part of a fear experiment.
Brooke Aldrich, Campaigns Manager for Wild Futures states: “The use of a monkey ‘actor’ has been an unfortunate theme with this otherwise exceptional show. We are extremely dismayed that its producers find the practice to be acceptable. Even more perplexing is that Mayim Bialik, who features on the show, is vegan and passionate about animal welfare. We cannot understand why she has repeatedly agreed to appear with performing monkeys.”
Just last month, Wild Futures decried celebrity Katy Perry for using an assortment of wild animal “actors” in her latest music video. In order to be trained to perform, non-domesticated animals like primates are often removed from their social groups, leading lives of social isolation in entirely unnatural environments that fail to meet their basic needs. The charity believes that the appearance of primate “actors” in film and television may generate demand for primates as pets.
“When an ‘acting’ monkey is featured in the media, the animal often appears cute and pliable – and acceptable to have as a pet” says Ms. Aldrich. “What people don’t see is the reality of things. Capuchin monkeys, like the one featured in The Big Bang Theory, are classified as ‘dangerous wild animals’ and there is very good reason for this. Wild Futures’ Monkey Sanctuary has taken in over 30 capuchin monkeys in need since 2000, several of whom have inflicted serious wounds on the humans in their lives. This is to say nothing of the fact that life as a pet is entirely inappropriate and unacceptable for any primate.”
In 2009 there were an estimated 5,000 pet primates in Britain. There is some indication that demand has since risen – the number of individuals licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 has risen by 21% since that time.
Wild Futures campaigns for an end to the primate pet trade in the UK and abroad. The charity has written to the producers of the Big Bang Theory and to Mayim Bialik, describing the negative consequences that the use of performing wild animals can entail, and asking them to think about their actions. The charity is calling for supporters to join them in politely asking The Big Bang Theory to permanently end its use of primates as “entertainers”.
For information on how to help, please email: [email protected] or call 0844 272 1271.
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Released 13 December 2013
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is the only Europe accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Drawing on nearly 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
In 2009 Wild Futures and the RSPCA estimated that there were between 2,500 and 7,500 privately kept primates in England, Scotland and Wales. Between 2009 and 2012 the number of individuals licensed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 rose by 21.07%.
For more information or pictures, contact:
For further information and details, please contact
Hayley Dann, Head of Income Generation and PR
Tel; 0844 272 1271
www.wildfutures.org