Mar28
Victory! Reprieve for NYU Monkeys
Posted at 10:36 AM | Permalink
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Comments (32)
Last month, a whistleblower contacted PETA to tell us that six monkeys who were about to be retired to a sanctuary from City University of New York's Lehman College had instead been sold to New York University for invasive neurological experiments.
The monkeys had originally been used in non-invasive learning and memory experiments in an NIH-funded laboratory overseen by one Dr. Karyl Swartz, who drew up a plan and set aside funds for the monkeys to live out the rest of their lives at a primate sanctuary. Enter the villain of this particular story, a lady named Christina Winnicker, who evidently objected to the plan and asked the experimental oversight committee to keep or sell the monkeys for further experimentation, despite the strong objections of Dr. Swartz and her colleagues. As a result, the monkeys were sold to an NYU laboratory for experiments that would likely have involved removing the tops of their skulls and implanting electrodes in their heads.
Anyway, as you’ve probably guessed from the title here, this one has a happy ending: After asking some pointed questions of both institutions, we received confirmation last week that Lehman College had thought better of their decision to sell these animals to NYU where they may have had their brains butchered. They’re now working with NYU to get them transferred to a sanctuary instead.
Which certainly brightened my day a bit.
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Comments
This is Great News, I am so very Happy to hear it.
Thank You to everyone who was involved in saving these peaceful friends.
Posted by: Holly | March 28, 2008 11:27 AM
wonderfull!
Posted by: Russell | March 28, 2008 12:29 PM
It will be a victory when the monkeys finally reach the sanctuary. Right now negotiations are not definitive. Will PETA continue to follow if the monkeys actually reach their destination to a proper santuary? When it is a done deal then I will celebrate.
Posted by: Ana | March 28, 2008 12:35 PM
Jack. Just been reading the profile of that Winnicker woman., if she reckons she is the animals Advocate! what chance is there for any laboratory creature. I would say the Devils Advocate fits the bill perfectly.
Anyway good news of these Guys., please keep us informed about the sanctuary.. thank you.
Posted by: keith | March 28, 2008 12:36 PM
That's awesome!!!
Way to go PETA....'yall rule!
Posted by: VonGiese80 | March 28, 2008 01:42 PM
Thank goodness!!
Posted by: Canaduck | March 28, 2008 01:49 PM
In the link, Christina Winnicker is quoted as saying, "We are the animals' advocates and we're here to make sure they are healthy and treated properly." What total BS.
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | March 28, 2008 01:55 PM
What wonderful news. God bless everybody involved in saving these angels. Happy retirement babies.
Posted by: Mary | March 28, 2008 02:01 PM
Being very involved in this action alert; I am elated in
this change of events. Positive change for all animals is in my prayers every
day. I know I am being heard.
Wanda and Jada deserved no less. We must all forge on, with our letters, e-mails, and
phone calls.
Posted by: Pamela L. | March 28, 2008 02:24 PM
Thank you, PETA. May the remainder of their lives be happy and healthy!
Posted by: Molly | March 28, 2008 02:54 PM
Christina Winnicker for Vivisector of the Week!
Posted by: Dogwalker | March 28, 2008 05:19 PM
I'd love to hear their explanation of why they hire someone like Christina Winnicker
What else is going on in those labs?
The veterinary profession has been soiled by pro-abuse members that work on behalf of animal abusers' profits, not the animals.
Posted by: kelly | March 28, 2008 05:35 PM
Is good news we have victory in freeing monkeys hope that this will continue to the other animals and justice was done to these unfortunates.
Frances Peña 16 years
Puerto Rico
Posted by: Frances Peña | March 29, 2008 07:11 PM
Aw, they're so cute! I hope we get to see pics of them at the sanctuary....
Posted by: Maya, CVT | March 29, 2008 07:23 PM
I'm thankful the animals were saved from misery!
Posted by: Sandra Carr | March 29, 2008 08:35 PM
That's crazy
Posted by: Animal luvor | March 29, 2008 09:56 PM
I know they will be enjoying life more!!
I still cant understand human relationship with animals..
Humans are sick
Posted by: monica | March 29, 2008 10:29 PM
THANK GOD PETA STEPPED IN AND STOPPED THIS. I WORK AT N.Y.U MEDICAL CENTER, AND I WAS ASHAMED AT THE HOSPITAL TRYING TO GET THESE POOR ANIMALS, FOR TESTING! AND YES IT WAS MOST LIKELY FOR BRAIN RESEARCH, I KNOW BECAUSE I WORK IN THE PSYCHIATRIC FLOOR AND WE ARE PART OF THE NEUROPSYCHIATRIC, DEPT.WHICH DOES SUCH EXPERIMENTS.I AM GLAD TO BE NEW MEMBER OF PETA! ROCK ON!
Posted by: RICHARD W. | March 30, 2008 10:26 PM
This is wonderful news. No doubt people like Pamela L (above post) had a hand in them 'thinking better of their decision'. Thank you Pamela et al.
Really, reading the link with her name, it comes as no surprise that Winniker wanted to squeeze all she could out of these innocent lives. She says that "We need animals to help find cures to help animal and humans". She's not an ally for the animals at all.
Posted by: lynda downie | March 31, 2008 12:45 AM
Winniker calls herself an animal advocate? I hate to think what even more cruel horrors would await the animals if she hated them.
kelly
I agree. The vet profession is not what it should be so the animals keep on suffering unspeakable cruelty and violence. Only a horrible death ends their nightmarish hell on earth.
Posted by: Ana | March 31, 2008 08:17 AM
Awww!! YAY!
Posted by: Amber Falobas | March 31, 2008 08:40 AM
This just made my day! It gives me hope that all the hard work everyone does really pays off for these beautiful creatures! Way to go Peta and Way to go everyone who took action!
Posted by: Jessie | March 31, 2008 11:19 AM
Ana -
I agree. I left the profession because it did not match my values, and all other techs and vets who care about animals are leaving the clinics.
Unfortunately it's the good vets who go out of business - local vet who rescued and neutered stray cats? Went out of business. Local vet who refuesed to declaw cats, went out of business. Local vet who gave free medicine and care for wild animals - went out of business.
Vet who specializes in breeder's pets, guarantees plenty of "litters" from their "bitches"....she bought a new Saab and sent both of her kids to vet school.
When our society begins valuing rescuing strays over breeding pets, that's when the good vets will be able to stay in business.
;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | March 31, 2008 12:28 PM
Hello Lynda Downey,
Thank You. I recognize you,also, as a very kind, caring, and compassionae individual.
Posted by: Pamela L. | March 31, 2008 02:02 PM
like i said before, animal research doesnt benefit humans anymore than lawn-mower studies benefit car (or racing) engines, visit. siav.org mrmcmed.org & pcrm.org, ps. richard w, you rock man!.. hope ta see ya at this years 500!..
Posted by: indycar01 | March 31, 2008 03:04 PM
This is EXCELLENT news.
Posted by: Jill | March 31, 2008 06:57 PM
this great news for these monkeys.
they are a part of the lucky few. hopefully those numbers will rise.
Posted by: erika | March 31, 2008 07:42 PM
YES! THANKS PETA FOR THE GREAT NEWS!
Posted by: Jessica Weizmann | March 31, 2008 08:28 PM
Thank you, Pamela. What a lovely thing to say. All the best.
Posted by: lynda downie | April 1, 2008 11:50 PM
Hi Maya!
In other words, vets who had integrity and were compassionate lose money and hence their livelihood. Shameful!!! This is an indictment against human society; the dollar is their god.
I did consider continuing with vet studies but then gave it up because of familial obligations but it is disheartening to read about how those that are supposed to care for the other animals brutalize and betray them. The AVMA is a joke. This association gives their approval on any type of atrocity committed against animals (rodeos, slaughterhouse practices, vivisection, DECLAWING, and other abominations too numerous to name). It all boils down to the desire for MONEY and APATHY for the other animals.
Peace! :)
Posted by: Ana | April 2, 2008 07:55 AM
Hi Ana - so true. Let me tell you, you made the right decision. Taking a 2 year program to get licensed as a tech was no picnic but the unspeakable deeds I did were not nearly as bad as what vets have to do.
Vets wind up being slaves to the dollar and "mentors" who get to decide who passes the school's requirements. It's ugly.
And yes, the AVMA was a source of constant agony and caused me and many others to rip out our hair on a regular basis. Very frustrating. Let's hope for some change!!
;)
Posted by: Maya, CVT | April 2, 2008 04:41 PM
omg awsome ^.^ i love animals and the crulty makes me want to cry. how can the do that to a living animal. but awsome that there ok now
Posted by: kasha | April 8, 2008 04:12 PM