These chimpanzees have been used in research since 2001

I am asking for your help with an urgent situation in Alamogordo, N. M., that could affect the lives of almost 200 chimpanzees. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) plans to move these animals to the Southwest National Primate Research Facility in San Antonio, Texas, where they will be subjected to painful, invasive experiments. Urge Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius to keep the chimpanzees in New Mexico.

None of these chimpanzees have been used in research since 2001, and because of their advanced age and health many, may not even survive the move to San Antonio. There is tremendous local support for keeping the chimpanzees in Alamogordo. Academy Award winning actor and New Mexico resident Gene Hackman has spoken up for the chimpanzees. In July, Gov. Bill Richardson wrote a letter to NIH and he continues to support permanently retiring these chimpanzees.

“This is an urgent situation and I am asking the National Institutes of Health to permanently retire the 202 chimpanzees at the Alamogordo Primate Facility so that they may not be used for invasive research. New Mexico wants to save these chimpanzees who have already given so much of their lives to the American public as part of medical research studies,” said Gov. Richardson.

Now we need your help—this issue is not just a concern to New Mexico, it is a concern to all of us. NIH is using your tax dollars to move these chimpanzees to a San Antonio research facility that is notorious for animal welfare violations.

Please take a minute to send an e-mail to Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and urge her to permanently retire the Alamogordo chimpanzees.

Yours truly,
Noelle Callahan
Research Program Coordinator

P.S. Please forward this message to family and friends!