Second chance for ex photo model |
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On 29 November, the quarantine period for chimpanzee Regina at Stichting AAP ended and she was given a new indoor/outdoor enclosure where she will soon be able to live with other chimpanzees. This 18 year old chimpanzee lady from Lithuania was given the chance for the first time in her life to lead a real ape existence without having to perform circus tricks for anyone or pose as a photo model.
The animal caregivers in the quarantine discovered that, in spite of her horrible past, Regina was a friendly and playful chimpanzee. As soon as she is accustomed to her new quarters, AAP will place other chimpanzees with her so that she can build up a social ape life with them. David Gennep, director of Stichting AAP: “Regina has not seen other chimpanzees since she was a baby in Cameroon. This must have been awful for an animal that is social by nature, especially the 6 long years in solitary confinement. Fortunately, AAP was able to free her from this filthy, empty cellar! During her rescue, we felt the support of ten thousands of people who followed Regina’s story on Facebook and signed the petition for her release. Just like the other chimps at Stichting AAP, Regina has a traumatic past, but happily she can now look forward to a much better future, together with other chimps!” Click here to see a video of Regina going outside. Support animals like Regina, make a donation to AAP!
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Regina was stolen from her ape family in Cameroon when she was a baby and was sold to a circus director in Lithuania. For 11 long years he forced her to perform degrading tricks in the circus and to wear dresses and pose for photo sessions. When she reached puberty and was no longer so cute or amiable, the director locked her up in solitary confinement in his cellar; she had no ape friends or family and no diversions of any kind. This year AAP heard of Regina’s plight and together with the Lithuanian animal protection organization Pifas, AAP was able to free Regina.
