Monkey wars get their Geneva Convention

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is looking out for the little guy -- the little furry guy who swings from trees and eats bananas. Burr helped secure passage of -- and The Source is serious here -- the chimpanzee protection bill.

This bill amends the Chimpanzee Health Improvement, Maintenance, and Protection Act of 2000. OK, have you guessed the acronym yet? The CHIMP Act.

After chimps have done their patriotic duty as lab monkeys for federally sponsored medical research, they are sent to a haven in Keithville, La. Burr's bill prohibits the National Institutes of Health from calling the chimps back into service.

"Chimp Haven is home to over a hundred chimps which have furthered American medical knowledge," Burr said in a prepared statement. "These animals deserve permanent protection."

Jane Goodall, who has spent much of her career researching chimps, praised Burr.

"I want to send a huge thank you to Senator Burr for his leadership on this issue," Goodall said in a statement, "and his compassionate view of our responsibility toward these thinking, feeling creatures." -- mark johnson

Charlotte Observer | 12/15/2007 | Burr serious about monkey business