International
Monkey Day 2023
From the perspective of an Aiderbichler
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
Wild-caught monkeys are still being brought to the many experimental laboratories to be used to research drugs.
I can’t get one sentence out of my head: in order to capture young, healthy animals for the experiments, between 15 and 20 adult animals have to be killed each time in order to get to the protected young animals.
Entire monkey families are destroyed, as the young are taken away from their mothers and familiar surroundings. The monkeys are then placed in small, cramped cages and transported to their destination.
Gut Aiderbichl and its ex-lab monkeys in Gänserndorf
Michael Aufhauserand Dieter Ehrengruber took a bold step over 10 years ago that did not go uncriticised. The ex-Labao monkeysthe Immuno, an Austrian research laboratory, became Aiderbichler and were thus promised the chance to enjoy a life of “small freedom” in the monkey houses and the outdoor enclosures created for them until the end of their natural lives. Unfortunately, Michael Aufhauserwas unable to give the traumatised animals back.
Confinement in a confined space
The animals were kept in 90 x 90 centimetre cages in the basement without daylight. There was no socialisation, no bright daylight with sun, wind or rain. It smelled terrible, the monkeys rattled the bars of the cages, they screamed and wanted their freedom.After many years of research, the decision was made to “release” the animals from research. Baxter felt obliged to the ex-laboratory monkeys and brought them to the monkey houses of the large safari park in Gänserndorf.Since 2011, the animals, some of which are severely traumatised, have been able to enter the outdoor enclosures. For the chimpanzees, the outdoor enclosures are a small paradise with a wide, blue sky above. Before, they knew nothing but the small cages. Perhaps they sometimes believe that they are back home?
When one dies, they are all sad
Resocialisation will never be complete, the ex-lab monkeys have had to experience too much in the many years of research. Some are full of fear and insecurity, certain noises and bright lights remind them of their time in the cage.As highly socialised animals, they are created almost 98% like us humans. They can be happy, they are master craftsmen, they have wonderful instincts and can grieve and cry just like us humans.A few weeks ago, Carmen passed away. She had been infected with hepatitis C for 13 years. She had loved her little jungle, the outdoor enclosure, more than anything. Dorli and Pumuckl, her group friends, are still mourning the loss of their Carmen.When will animal testing finally be able to stop? When will people finally stop keeping monkeys in their living rooms? The questions are endless – there is only one answer: it has to stop.Sincerely, Your Gisela
The least I can do is speak up for those who can't do it themselves.
~ Jane Goodall
