Friday, June 23, 2006
SOS Guillermo - The sad story of a Tenerife chimp
Photo: Ecologistas en Acción
If you thought the days of caged and captive chimps was a thing of the past in Tenerife, then think again. The plight of one chimpanzee in La Orotava is currently being highlighted by local green group Ecologistas en Acción, and it’s a chilling story. The 12 year old chimp, who was born in Tenerife Zoo, was rejected by his mother and taken into the care of a then employee of the zoo at her home in the Valle de La Orotava.
Since then, he has lived confined to a cage measuring 2 square metres and 2 metres high, which may be "the best condition possible within the inherent limitations of her [Guillermo's owner] person, the knowledge she possesses and the economic means at her disposal.", but sadly, it is not enough for a chimp.
The situation is an outrage, says Paco González, coordinator for the Great Ape Project in this region where, he thinks, there could be many more Guillermos hidden away in similar circumstances. “If we all make the effort and raise the general public’s awareness of this situation we can hopefully bring about Guillermo’s liberation. When that day comes each one of us will be a little bit freer.”
SOS Guillermo - The sad story of a Tenerife chimp
