|
|
Get Four
|  | FEBRUARY 7, 2006
By Alex Halperin A Dog Fight Over Pet MonkeysA federal bill that would regulate primate ownership has owners of the exotic pets fuming -- and fighting backWhen Curious George swings into movie theaters on Feb. 10, it will surely tempt a few people to get a pet monkey. Be forewarned. You're likely to be stepping into a messy, difficult proposition -- as well as a battle between pet owners and those who want to regulate the trade in unusual pets. On the front lines of the conflict are people like Houston suburbanites Joseph and Cindy Kirkland. When Joseph, the owner of an oil-and-gas equipment-inspection company, brought home his first black-capped capuchin six years ago, he says he never dreamed that monkeys would become a consuming part of his life. Now he and his wife watch TV with their three capuchins and take vacations to owner-pet gatherings, called monkey picnics. Joseph Kirkland is now running for president of the nonprofit Simian Society of America, a group promoting the welfare of monkeys in captivity, especially those in private ownership. CHIMP SHOT. In September, the Kirklands hosted a small monkey picnic attended by members of Simply Simian, a tiny Winnie (Tex.)-based group that hopes eventually to establish a monkey foster home. Between a barbecue lunch and playing with the animals, the conversation turned to the people who want to take their monkeys away. Last March, two chimpanzees escaped their cage in a California sanctuary and mauled a man's face, foot, and genitals. The attack spurred U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.) to sponsor the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would prohibit interstate commerce in pet primates. Weeks later, Jim Jeffords (I.-Vt.) introduced a corresponding bill in the Senate. While probably not the most urgent issue on the Congressional agenda, the bill could pass. A similar law regulating the trade of certain big cat species, including lions and tigers, won unanimous approval in 2003. Feeling cornered and friendless, some monkey owners are trying to fight back. In its vitriol, the debate over monkey ownership apes the bitterest disputes of the culture war, while providing a glimpse into how business and political interests can appear around even obscure matters. PET PROJECTS. Combined with an existing ban on importing pet monkeys, the proposed bill -- an amendment to the Lacey Act that protects animals from illegal trade -- would make it increasingly difficult for private citizens to buy the animals. The bill notes that the nation's 15,000 pet primates -- an estimate many owners say is high -- rarely receive proper care. In a prepared statement, Johnson said monkeys don't belong in homes "because they can spread life-threatening disease and inflict serious injury." While groups such as the Humane Society of the United States support the bill, pet groups are calling on their members to voice their opposition. Jeanne Hall, president of the Phoenix Exotic Wildlife Assn., based in Chehalis, Wash., called the bill another step in the "piecemeal banning of exotics." And the trend could spread, as animal-rights activists advocate new norms of acceptable pet ownership. No one is about to take away Fido and Fluffy, but changes will not necessarily be limited to the most outlandish pets. For example, more than 4 million U.S. households have reptiles, from box turtles to pythons, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Assn. (APPMA), but animal-rights groups say owning them is inhumane. Marshall Meyers, executive vice-president of the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), a trade association, says all pets should be allowed, with permits required for certain species. "The moment you start to outlaw things you create a market and drive it underground." He dismisses the objections to certain pets as a minor, ongoing nuisance faced by the industry, which APPMA estimates at $35.9 billion in 2005. MONKEY HOUSE. Owning a monkey is not for the lazy or squeamish. Left unsupervised, they tend to escape or inflict serious property damage. They cannot be trusted around children. "Monkey people," as owners proudly call themselves, like to compare their animals to mischievous toddlers. Maybe, but in 30 years these babies will still be swinging from the ceiling fan. Not surprisingly, monkeys exhaust some of their owners. Last year, Janet Gengelbach of Plattsburg, Mo., gave her macaque of eight years to a sanctuary. At sexual maturity, the once "adorable" Mandy grew aggressive. She sometimes bit as she pursued the household's "alpha male," Gengelbach's husband, David. Spending her days in a cage watching TV, Mandy gained weight. "They're such social animals, and we kind of felt guilty," Janet Gengelbach says. And monkeys are expensive. After buying Mandy for $9,000 and providing endless baby formula and diapers, the couple joked about listing her as a tax write-off. SODA JERK. At the monkey picnic, the Kirklands' visitors hoped to impress upon a visiting reporter that with proper diligence and care private citizens can responsibly keep monkeys. Around Daisy you want to believe them. A white-throated capuchin belonging to a guest, she charmed the room, nuzzling on shoulders and hopping on laps. Daisy's every gesture inspired "aw"s, while less predictable monkeys with bigger teeth cackled in their cages. Daisy also knew to take advantage of her freedom: Preying on the unsuspecting reporter, she picked up his can of Dr. Pepper, chugged about half, then regurgitated it. Currently, law-abiding primate owners can acquire their pets from breeders or from homes that can no longer keep them. So named because their fur resembles a monk's cowl, capuchins like Daisy are popular pets because they're lively, small (about 10 pounds), and probably because one made appearances on the sitcom Friends as the pet Marcel. Nonetheless, armed with opposable thumbs and prehensile tails, they have an almost unlimited capacity for causing havoc. LOVE MONKEY. For the time being, Simply Simian's top priority is opposing the Captive Primate Safety Act through its Responsible, Ethical Pet Ownership-Political Action Committee (REPO-PAC). The group's activities include auctioning monkey-themed gear on eBay (EBAY ), and publishing a newsletter that the organization says has more than 175 subscribers. Like PIJAC, Simply Simian expresses support for tighter restrictions on monkey ownership. Regulations vary by state, with some banning pet monkeys outright. Some people are seeing the conflict over primate ownership as something larger than monkey business -- a question of government power. Taking a libertarian view, Joseph Kirkland doesn't think he should be punished for the perceived mistakes of other monkey owners. An National Rifle Association member, he channels that group's resentment toward people who want to legislate his life. "Just like my gun," he says, "They're going to have to pry my monkey from my cold, dead hand." But owning a monkey isn't inherently political. The Kirklands and others associated with Simply Simian seem absolutely devoted to their pets, a feeling apparently deepened by the all-consuming routine of caring for them. "BETTER OFF DEAD." Mainstream conservation groups adamantly oppose owning wild animals, but Simply Simian focuses its ire on animal-rights activists, such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) -- a choice that might be likened to criticizing Michael Moore instead of Al Gore. PETA believes that animals have rights similar to humans, while Simply Simian members think of their monkeys more like valuable property. Lisa Wathne, a PETA "captive exotic animal specialist" calls buying pet monkeys a "slave trade." The monkey owners keep their pets "mostly as an ego boost" and should release them to accredited sanctuaries. Many monkeys, she continues, "would be better off dead" -- euthanized -- than in private homes. The handful of people involved with Simply Simian are also learning about special interests as a way to support their cause. The REPO-PAC Web site appropriates material compiled by the Center for Consumer Freedom, a group representing the restaurant industry that produces Web sites such as "PETA Kills Animals." (The restaurant industry has its own beef with PETA.) The center says it supports consumer rights. However, a spokesman says the group did not take a position on whether consumers have the freedom to own monkeys. CHEEKY MONKEY. There are plenty of horror stories about indignities and abuse suffered by pet monkeys, but can they ever live well in private ownership? The Kirklands' pets live and play in cages suitable for a modest zoo. After their daily baths, Cindy Kirkland dries them with hot towels. They are spoiled monkeys. When necessary, the Kirklands drive hours to an appropriate veterinarian; one of the animals has diabetes. Simian statues, pictures, and stuffed animals cover virtually every surface of the Kirkland's home. And the rear of the family Hummer displays pro-monkey bumper stickers beside decals urging support for U.S. troops. Why such passion? Cindy Kirkland answers simply: "Monkeys make me smile."  Halperin is a reporter for BusinessWeek Online in New York Edited by Phil Mintz
BW MALL
SPONSORED LINKS
Buy a link now!< Get BusinessWeek directly on your desktop with our RSS feeds.  Add BusinessWeek news to your Web site with our headline feed. Click to buy an e-print or reprint of a BusinessWeek or BusinessWeek Online story or video. To subscribe online to BusinessWeek magazine, please click here. Learn more, go to the BusinessWeekOnline home page  | | |
 Copyright 2006, by The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.Terms of Use | Privacy Notice |
Printer-Friendly Version
