Andrew Westoll–the author, most recently, of “The Chimps Of Fauna Sanctuary: A True Story of Resilience And Recovery,” a gorgeously-written, often-poignant account of Westoll’s 10-week stint living as a volunteer at Fauna Foundation, a sanctuary just outside Montreal for chimpanzees retired from biomedical research–discusses he decided volunteering at Fauna had the makings of a book.
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He also addressed what–even as a primatologist–he found surprising and notable about the Fauna chimps. Andrew also outlined what most of these chimps had endured before they arrived at the Sanctuary, and how psychologically disturbed many had become as a result–including describing the fairly recent theory that’s emerged suggesting chimps can experience a form of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He explained the components and virtues of The Great Ape Protection And Cost Savings Act, and urged listeners to contact their representatives about supporting the bill’s passage. Andrew also described some Fauna chimps, past and present, including Jean, Rachel and Tom, to whom Andrew dedicated the book. (www.AndrewWestoll.com, www.FaunaSanctuary.org, www.FaunaFoundation.org)
ALSO: We spoke with Catherine Doyle, Elephant Campaign Director for In Defense of Animals, chiefly about the organization’s International Day of Action For Elephants in Zoos, to be held Saturday June 11, including a demo at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. (www.HelpElephants.com, www.IDAUSA.org)
COMEDY CORNER: Triumph The Insult Comic Dog’s “Call From Triumph’s Son” (www.TriumphTheInsultComicDog.com)
MUSIC: The Kinks’ “Apeman,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Soundtrack & Theme Orchestra’s “Theme From Planet Of The Apes”
