Select Page

Two upcoming events are scheduled to examine issues of animal language research specifically with chimpanzees.

Tonight (January 19) at 6:30 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center, a screening of the documentary Project Nim will be held.  Project Nim is an award-winning documentary that follows the life of one particular chimpanzee that was used in animal language research.  This thought provoking film will influence the way attendees think about animals in research generally, and about how people deal with chimpanzees specifically.

On Friday (January 20) at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center, Stephanie LaFarge, PhD will speak on her own experiences with chimp language research, her role in the making of Project Nim, and about her perspectives on animal use in research.  LaFarge was a graduate research assistant on the chimpanzee language project Project Nim when it took place during the 1970’s.  Since that time, she has had a distinguished career as a clinical psychologist and as an advocate of animal welfare.

Submitted by: Michael Noonan, PhD, professor; animal behavior, ecology & conservation