Swiss zoo rejects criticism after chimp birth

A Swiss zoo has defended itself against “sweeping statements” from an animal rights group following the birth of a chimpanzee in captivity. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The German group Peta called on the Walter Zoo in eastern Switzerland to stop its breeding programme after the birth of the chimp. They argue that housing the chimpanzees is not species-appropriate and is like imprisoning the animals. “We know that we are a scientifically managed institution, that our chimpanzee husbandry is very good,” Elia Heule, head of zoology and species conservation at Walter Zoo, told Swiss public broadcaster SRF. + Petition calls for a ban on circus animals in Switzerland “Such statements generalize about zoos, from a few fenced-in goats to the largest zoo in the world. We are certain that we are doing the right thing. A general breeding ban would be short-sighted.” West African chimpanzees are critically endangered, with an estimated 18,000 to 65,000 ...