Primarily Primates

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Primarily Primates, Incorporated is a non-profit organization in Bexar County, Texas that operates an animal sanctuary which houses, protects, and rehabilitates a number of different types of non-native animals. As the name implies, the organization focuses primarily on caring for primates and other monkeys. It currently houses more than 600 primates and a variety of other animals. The organization was founded by Wally Swett in 1978 and is run by him to this day.

Notable animals who have taken up residency at the shelter include chimpanzees retired from the United States Air Force (mostly Holloman Air Force Base) and the US space program, and Oliver (a male chimpanzee, of an unusual breed, exhibited around the world for many years and often referred to as the "humanzee" due to speculation on whether he was all chimp or part human).

[edit] Recent History

In March of 2006 PETA filed a lawsuit against Primarily Primates (PPI) and released video taken at the sanctuary, purportedly including footage of animals confined in small cages and sick animals. The assumptions made with the release of these videos did not take into account that some animals were separated from others due to specific psychological needs, such as the necesity to be socialized more slowly than others, or kept from the larger groups due to health risks. Texas courts dismissed the lawsuit for legal reasons without addressing the condition of the animals.

The controversy has continued though, and both sides have made serious allegations against the other. The widely respected international animal advocacy organization Friends of Animals has stood by PPI while PETA lashed out with wild accusations.

As allegations continued, Wallace Swett, founder of the sanctuary, resigned the position of president. With prompting from PETA, the Texas Attorney General's office ordered a temporary takeover of the sanctuary on Friday October 13, 2006.

Shortly after the take over a court appointed receiver for the animals at the sanctuary, Lee Theisen-Watt, cited inhumane conditions and asked for an emergency hearing to discuss relocating the animals. In response Friends of Animals (FOA) and employees of PPI have stated concerns that animals may be needlessly killed for treatable illnesses. Further, FOA has accused PETA representatives of putting the animals at risk by distributing inappropriate supplies following the take over of the sanctuary.

Critics allege that Wally Swett's alcoholism prevented him from running the sanctuary properly, and that funds intended for the animals were used to purchase alcohol. Supporters of the sanctuary acknowlege Swett's issues with alcohol, but deny that his substance abuse hurt the animals.

Update October 28, 2006

Friends of Animals is footing the legal bill for new Primarily Primates executive Stephen Tello's court battle to retain control over the sanctuary. As the court case has progressed more allegations against both the facility and the new receivership under Ms. Theisen-Watt's direction.

Allegations include:

That Lee Theisen-Watt is strongly affiliated with PETA and has ulterior motives in moving many of the animals.
That PETA's lawsuits are a retaliatory response to PPI's refusal to accept animals that PETA wished to dump there without offering any follow-up or support.
That PETA wishes to euthanize the animals and sell the valuable land.
That the "eyewitness accounts" of abuse by Wally Swett and the former management were given by former employees who had been fired for incompetence.
That the distribution of blankets to chimps and monkeys has caused harm and at least one death.
That exotic birds self mutilated to deal with the boredom of tiny cages and virtually no care.
That animals admitted to the sanctuary were allowed to breed.
That a chimpanzee was confined to a small dark room, alone, for eight months.
That six chimps at the sanctuary have died in the past year alone.
That the facility lacked a proper septic field or sewage system and so animals sat in their own waste and open ditches of sewage were visible on the property.
That the facility only had five staff members to care for approximately 500 animals.
That Wally Swett purchased a baby chimpanzee, who was later confined to a bathroom and deprived of the company of other chimpanzees.
That many species of animals were confined to tiny cages for their entire lives.
That cockroach infestation grew so bad that tens of thousands of roaches swarmed the property.