Zoo Chimps' Mental Health Affected by Captivity

[n2doc]

By Jennifer Viegas
Tue Jul 5, 2011 06:18 AM ET

Many chimpanzees housed in zoos show abnormal behavior that suggest mental illness, according to a new PLoS One study.

The documented behaviors, which included self-mutilation, repetitive rocking, and consumption of feces, are symptoms of compromised mental health in humans, and are not seen in wild chimpanzees, the authors say. The study found that even chimps at very well regarded zoos displayed the disturbing behaviors.

"Absolutely abnormal behavior and possible mental health issues are most commonly associated with lab chimps," co-author Nicholas Newton-Fisher told Discovery News. "This is one of the reasons we were surprised to see the levels of abnormal behavior that we did -- in chimpanzees living in good zoos."

"We conclude that the chimpanzee mind might have difficulties dealing with captivity," added Newton-Fisher, a primate behavioral ecologist at the University of Kent's School of Anthropology & Conservation.

more

http://news.discovery.com/animals/chimpanzee-mental-illness-zoos-110705.html

Same goes with Humans. We don't care about prisoner's mental health much either.

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. We're they forced to watch and read endless breathless accounts of Casey Anthony's trial?

Cheers!

[eShirl]

4. +1

[Terry in Austin]

2. Psst... Mr. Primate Behavioral Ecologist. Over here...

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST GODDAM CLUE, SHERLOCK!?!?!!?

Now, back to our program...

[Ichingcarpenter]

3. The Naked Ape by Desmon Morris.... out of Date

and inaccurate now was a book I read in High School
but ahead of its time back then.

Funny the replies so far I'm in complete agreement.

Kick nom.....