Halfords, the cycle and car part retailer, is using chimpanzees in its latest TV commercial. The new ad is very similar to the old PG Tips commercials with its portrayal of chimps dressed in clothes and acting as humans. Chimpanzees are extremely intelligent animals with highly complex needs and should not be subjected to the humiliation and distress of being trained and dressed to perform in this manner which clearly seeks to ridicule them. Despite complaints Halfords are refusing to pull the advert so your help is needed to add more pressure.
Other companies have realised their mistakes in using chimpanzees in commercials and have since decided not to use them. Last February, Grolsch pulled a TV advert featuring chimps and pledged never to use chimps again following a complaint from Captive Animals' Protection Society (CAPS). PG Tips also ended their use of chimps last year and replaced them with animatronics.
There are numerous welfare problems created by using chimps in commercials. It is usually only young chimps that are used, since adults are too strong to handle - this creates more breeding in captivity with young taken away from their mothers. There has also been evidence of chimps having their teeth removed to stop them biting, as well as training by electric-shock collars.
The use of chimpanzees in advertising is not only condemned by CAPS but also by primate experts including the renowned primatologist Dr Jane Goodall who once commented, "The chimpanzee's 'smile' so often seen on TV is actually a grin of fear. These trained performers suffer greatly for our amusement."
Join Manchester Animal Protection on their local day of action against Halfords on Thurs 10 July 2003.
Captive Animals' Protection Society (0845 330 7955, [email protected])
Jane Goodall Institute
Home
STOP PRESS
Latest newsletter