Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

monkeywire - [monkeywire] Activists condemn ads with boozing chimps

monkeywire AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: The #1 source for news about monkeys and apes

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Josh Greenman <joshg1973 AT yahoo.com>
  • To: monkeywire AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [monkeywire] Activists condemn ads with boozing chimps
  • Date: Mon, 31 May 2004 12:13:36 -0400

http://www.guardian.co.uk/animalrights/story/0,11917,1227957,00.html

Unnatural behaviour: activists condemn ads with boozing chimps

Robin McKie
Sunday May 30, 2004
The Observer

Animal welfare campaigners have attacked drink company bosses over television and cinema adverts that use chimpanzees to illustrate the dangers of binge drinking.

The groups say the adverts - 'Don't be the Drunken Monkey' - debase the animals, will increase cruelty to apes, and encourage poachers to kidnap baby chimps for other ad campaigns.

The attack is the most outspoken yet by animal groups, which have recently forced Grolsch lager and Halfords, the car parts chain, to withdraw adverts featuring chimps dressed as humans.

The adverts - by the Portman Group, the drinks industry organisation that promotes socially responsible alcohol use - depicts humans boozing with a chimp whose antics are initially amusing but which turn increasingly unpleasant and violent.

'It's no fun going out for a night with a drunken mate who shouts and swears, gets into fights and gropes anything that moves,' said Portman chief executive Jean Coussins. 'In fact, it can feel like you're on the town with a drunken monkey.'

This comparison drew a furious reaction. 'For a start, a chimp is an ape, not a monkey, which shows how ignorant this campaign is,' said Jenny Hawley, of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. 'Worse, the clear implication is that chimps are stupid, aggressive and figures of ridicule. In fact, they are highly intelligent creatures that suffer because of their similarities to humans.'

A spokesman for the Portman Group said no ape was harmed while making the adverts, which were intended merely to illustrate the fact that people often act like wild animals when out drinking.

This assurance drew little comfort from campaigners. 'Ads like this just encourage poachers to think they can make money by selling baby chimps,' said Ian Redmond, of the UN Great Ape Survival Project. 'If the Portman Group does not pull this ad, they will be faced with an outcry from millions.'




  • [monkeywire] Activists condemn ads with boozing chimps, Josh Greenman, 05/31/2004

Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page