A Thai zoo forced one of their chimpanzees to get dressed up in human clothes and ride around on a bike and spray toxic disinfectant so that human visitors could delight in the amusement and have a good chuckle -- about the deadly COVID-19, no less. Anytime an animal is forced to work for human benefit or entertainment, it's animal abuse. And it's especially despicable when the animal is doing something dangerous. It turns out this whole zoo is a "hell hole for animals" as described by animal rights activists.
Sign now to demand the Thai government steps in to close the zoo and rehome the animals to reputable sanctuaries.
This is just the government's latest display of total disregard for animal welfare and shrugging their shoulders at animal abuse. Not so long ago, footage came out of this same facility, Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, of a malnourished elephant that was forced to perform daily for non-existent crowds. The elephant is so emaciated, she has been nicknamed Bones.
The video of the chimpanzee is horrifying. It shows him shackled on a super short chain and forced into unnatural human clothes. Then a tank of sanitizer is strapped to his back and he's forced to ride a bike, still chained, while spraying the chemical-laden disinfectant. The chimp is also breathing aerosolized disinfectant, which is likely horrible for his health. This animal likely knows nothing more than chains and being forced to entertain humans in dangerous ways. His life in the zoo is nothing like what he would experience in the wild, where he would not only be free, but also surrounded by his family. The abuse must end.
Animals rights activists have been trying to get comments from the zoo for a long time with no success. Now it's time for the government to step in and free these poor animals.
