Ronan Donovan Instagram – In response to the overwhelmingly heartfelt comments in regards to yesterday’s somber repost from @michaelnicknichols 1989 photo of the captive chimp, Jo Jo – I decided to provide some current information in regards to lab tests on chimpanzees in the US today. I will also add some more information in my IG story with links to recent articles. ⁣ Overall, the status of laboratory testing in the US is positive in terms of an ethical and human standpoint. From the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website:⁣ In 2015, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe today announced a final rule to classify all chimpanzees, both wild and captive, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The rule uplists captive chimpanzees from threatened status to match that of wild chimpanzees and removes them from a special rule for primates that allowed some activities otherwise prohibited under the ESA.⁣ ⁣ “Extending captive chimpanzees the protections afforded their endangered cousins in the wild will ensure humane treatment and restrict commercial activities under the Endangered Species Act,” Ashe said. “The decision responds to growing threats to the species and aligns the chimpanzee’s status with existing legal requirements. Meanwhile, we will continue to work with range states to ensure the continued survival and recovery of chimpanzees in the wild.”⁣ ⁣ Learn more through my IG story and further at @nonhuman.rights.project feed Planet Earth