Tell Desperate Housewives Not to Exploit Chimpanzees in Future Episodes!

The most recent episode of ABC's Desperate Housewives, which aired on Sunday, October 25, featured a young chimpanzee "actor" wearing clothing and exhibiting a fear grimace. This expression, which looks like a human smile, is a sign of the abusive, fear-based training methods that Hollywood animal trainers use to force great apes to perform.

Undercover investigations of trainers have revealed that chimpanzees are kicked, punched, and beaten with sticks to break their spirits and show them "who's boss." These highly intelligent, social animals are forcibly removed from their mothers when only days old, resulting in lifelong emotional scars. Although they can live to be 60 years old, they are discarded at around 8 years of age when they become too strong to be safely handled. PETA has found former "celebrity" apes dumped at roadside zoos and living in squalor. Many animal exhibitors that supply great apes for the entertainment industry have a history of serious Animal Welfare Act violations.

Earlier this month, after learning about the abuse that "performing" great apes endure behind the scenes, Dancing With the Stars canceled the appearance of a chimpanzee on an episode of the show that was scheduled to air that very night. After meeting with PETA to discuss the ethical implications of using chimpanzees for entertainment, many top advertising agencies and companies have pledged not to use great apes in future productions.

The executive producer of Desperate Housewives needs to hear from compassionate viewers like you today. Please call or write to Marc Cherry and urge him to pledge not to feature great apes in any future episodes of the show:

Marc Cherry
Executive Producer
Desperate Housewives
ABC Studios
500 S. Buena Vista St.
Burbank, CA 91521
818-733-3773
818-733-2984 (fax)