Ponso is a chimpanzee that lives alone on a tiny island in the Ivory coast without a source for food or water. He is estimated to be around 40 years of age. Ponso was abonded along with nineteen others that included his mate by the New York Blood Center which used these social animals for lab testing. Years of painful testing on these chimpanzees created a dependancy on humans. All of the other chimps on this island including their offspring died of starvation or disease. Ponso has been alone since 2013 when his own baby died. A farmer who brings Ponso bannanas and bread periodically said that Ponzo knelt down and imitated a digging motion to let the farmer know that Ponzo had wished for the farmer to bury his child.
The New York Blood Center (NYBC) decided 10 years ago to discontinue the chimp testing and had these social creatures dispersed on several islands. There is another island that has a colony of over 60 retired research chimpanzees also dependant on humans for their survival. Despite their previouse commitment to provide for these retired chimps for their lifetime the NYBC has stopped their support.
The Humane society of the United States is helping this cause and created a petition to encourage the NYBC to honor their previous commitment and restore their funding for Ponso and the other retired chimps.
Petition Link
Author: Bliss
Dedicated to making a positive difference for people, animals, and this beautiful planet!
