Change lax laws that allow people to own primates

Thanks for the news story "Putting chimps in their place: States struggle with allowing ownership of primates as pets," March 31. It shed light on how lax our laws are in protecting exotic animals kept by private individuals.

Lisa Marie, the baby chimpanzee being carted around Chicago by Ed and Annette Parzygnat for birthday parties and other events, should be receiving care and nurturing from her mother. The premature weaning and social separation commonly inflicted on infant chimpanzees used in the entertainment industry ignores decades of research that concludes that maternal care is vital to the short-term and long-term health and well-being of these animals. It also puts undue stress on the mothers, who typically experience deep depression following the loss of their babies.

For the well-being of animals and public safety too, lawmakers need to put an end to this outrageous loophole once and for all.

Daniel Hauff,

director of investigations,

Mercy For Animals

Photo: Pioneer Press / Ed Parzygnat holds Lisa Marie, a chimpanzee, at an animal show at the Grayslake Public Library in 2008.