Contact:
Michael McGraw 757-622-7382

Antelope County, Neb.--- TV, stage, and film star Swoosie Kurtz has sent a letter on behalf of PETA to Ken Schlueter, director of Zoo Nebraska in Royal, urging him to send a male chimpanzee named Ripley to the same sanctuary where the primate’s father and other family members now live. Kurtz, who was born in Omaha and has won two Tony Awards and an Emmy, also sent letters to Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Department of Tourism. She asked Gov. Heineman to use his "influence to encourage Zoo Nebraska to do the right thing by retiring Ripley to a sanctuary" and asked the Department of Tourism to remove Zoo Nebraska from the list of state attractions on its Web site.

Kurtz’s plea comes after all three of Ripley’s companions were shot and killed in September after they escaped from their enclosure. The zoo sent Ripley to live among strangers at a facility that breeds and sells exotic animals and tears baby primates away from their mothers for photo-ops and other public displays.

"Ripley is likely consumed with heartbreak over the loss of his companions," writes Kurtz in her letter to the governor. "He was discarded by the entertainment industry once he got too big and strong to perform on TV and in movies. Zoo Nebraska then profited from Ripley for years, and now, because of human carelessness, Ripley lost his three companions."

"It is only right that Ripley also be given the opportunity to retire with dignity with the comfort of friends and family. Zoo Nebraska owes him that," she adds.

In addition to the two Tony Awards she won for The House of Blue Leaves and Fifth of July, Kurtz was recently nominated for another Tony for her performance in Frozen. Her films include Citizen Ruth, Liar, Liar, Dangerous Liaisons, and Cruel Intentions, and her numerous TV appearances include roles in Sisters, Huff, and ABC’s hit series Lost. She has earned an Emmy and eight nominations and has also starred in the HBO original movies Texas Cheerleader Murdering Mom and And the Band Played On.

For more information, please visit PETA’s Web site WildlifePimps.com.

Swoosie Kurtz’s letter to Zoo Nebraska Director Ken Schlueter is available upon request.