ACTION ALERT

Crude “Monkey Hook” Campaign Exploits Young Chimpanzee
March 18 , 2008

A California-based company is currently marketing a wall hanger called “The Monkey Hook.”  The company's web site features a video of a chimpanzee named Cody installing the product, to show that installation is “so easy even a human can do it.”  The chimpanzee used in this video, Cody, was recently surrendered in settlement of a civil lawsuit alleging cruelty to animals.  A primatologist who worked for Cody’s trainer for a year testified that the chimpanzees in his care were beaten regularly for training purposes.   

What you can do:

Please contact David Kurrasch, Managing Member of Monkey Hook, and let him know that you are shocked by his company’s endorsement of animal cruelty.  Tell him that exploiting an endangered species for a cheap laugh just isn’t funny. 

David Kurrasch
Managing Member
The Monkey Hook
30900 Rancho Viejo Road, Ste. 150
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Phone: 1-866-663-4665
Fax: 949-305-8727
Email: david@monkeyhook.com

* If you send an email, please copy Primate Patrol at primatepatrol@chimpsanctuarynw.org for tracking purposes. 

Sample Letter/Email

Dear Mr. Kurrasch,

I was shocked by the video of Cody the chimpanzee using your product on the Monkey Hook web site.  Are you aware that Cody was recently surrendered in settlement of a civil lawsuit alleging cruelty to animals?  A primatologist who worked for Cody’s trainer for a year testified that the chimpanzees in his care were beaten regularly for training purposes. 
In addition to welfare concerns, using chimpanzees for advertising seriously hinders conservation efforts.  In a recent study published in Science Magazine, zoo visitors were more likely to believe that gorillas and orangutans were endangered than chimpanzees because of the prevalence of chimpanzees in TV, movies, and commercials. 
I hope you will terminate this irresponsible campaign and choose never to exploit great apes for marketing purposes again.  I look forward to hearing from you on this urgent matter.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]

 

 

 

 

 

Updated: October 22, 2007