Twycross are on the One Show Tonight

J

Jane Doe

Well-Known Member
Well I have just been informed that Twycross Zoo are on the One Show BBC1, lets see what CEO Sharon Redrobe, Head of Life Sciences Charlotte McDonald and Simon ‘Charlie’ Childs our Great Apes Team Leader have to say they say on their face book filming our lovely chimp Choppers.
Sorry about the English in advance.
 
I thought the B.B.C. had a pronunciation department, watching this short broadcast made at Twycross Zoo last week it would appear not. Molly Badham's sir name is pronounced BAD AM not BAYD AM as stated in this programme. Secondly I have had now quite frankly enough of this zoo's current direction taking any opportunity in the media to criticise Miss Badham in her husbandry of chimpanzees and television commercials for tea, is this the only type of publicity they are capable of getting?, if it is I suggest they are not trying hard enough.
 
I imagine that the BBC approached the zoo, as the guest on the show that day was there to plug the new 'Planet of the Apes' film. I guess they decided they needed a similar, 'real life', version of the consequences of chimps being raised by humans to fill up the programme blah blah blah. Twycross just took the opportunity to clarify that these days they are a zoo that treats its chimps as wild animals that have social needs and not as 'pop stars' staying in five star hotels!

During the 4 minute clip Sharon Redrobe clearly said; 'Molly wasn't wrong, she was of her time and certainly some of the work she was doing was world leading. Like most people, she got older, and the world has changed since, so I think we have got to be very careful that we don't criticise the past'.
Then, when questioned on the way the chimps were used in the adverts Ms Redrobe stated; 'It was certainly iconic at the time and you could say that turned some people on to seeing chimpanzees as marvellous, wonderful animals. Of course nowadays our concern would be with the use of great apes in current Hollywood movies these days I think now is inexcusable. We have to show the public that chimps are fabulous animals, but chimps need to be chimps, gorillas need to be gorillas, bonobo need to be bonobo and that's how they should be enjoyed and appreciated'. -well said IMO.


Also, they have been advertising the zoo over the radio for several months.
 
Benosaurus said:
I imagine that the BBC approached the zoo, as the guest on the show that day was there to plug the new 'Planet of the Apes' film. I guess they decided they needed a similar, 'real life', version of the consequences of chimps being raised by humans to fill up the programme blah blah blah. Twycross just took the opportunity to clarify that these days they are a zoo that treats its chimps as wild animals that have social needs and not as 'pop stars' staying in five star hotels!

During the 4 minute clip Sharon Redrobe clearly said; 'Molly wasn't wrong, she was of her time and certainly some of the work she was doing was world leading. Like most people, she got older, and the world has changed since, so I think we have got to be very careful that we don't criticise the past'.
Then, when questioned on the way the chimps were used in the adverts Ms Redrobe stated; 'It was certainly iconic at the time and you could say that turned some people on to seeing chimpanzees as marvellous, wonderful animals. Of course nowadays our concern would be with the use of great apes in current Hollywood movies these days I think now is inexcusable. We have to show the public that chimps are fabulous animals, but chimps need to be chimps, gorillas need to be gorillas, bonobo need to be bonobo and that's how they should be enjoyed and appreciated'. -well said IMO.


Also, they have been advertising the zoo over the radio for several months.
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And orangs need to be orangs of coarse.
 
Benosaurus said:
Of course nowadays our concern would be with the use of great apes in current Hollywood movies these days I think now is inexcusable..
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The above being Sharon Redrobe's quote, not Benosaurus' obviously.

In America two young Chimpanzees were taken from a local Safari-type park to 'view' this new film, as a publicity stunt.:rolleyes: At least Twycross aren't involved with that sort of publicity nowadays.

Like Benosaurus I imagine the Zoo was approached to be used as a 'tie-in' item for the film publicity, rather than seeking it themselves.
 
I thought what Sharon said, as quoted above, was very fair.

I abhor chimps used in entertainment but I always console myself that the PG Tips chimps (which I loved and still [sadly!] quote) were not treated as abominably as the ones in the US 'entertainment industry', nevertheless it wasn't good for them in the long term.
 
 
The management of this zoo seam to make it very clear that they wish to completely divorce themselves from the days when Twycross used to use young chimps in television advertising which may have confused the public in thinking that these great apes were little people, that's fine I do not have a problem with that. They do not however appear to have a problem associating themselves with this Planet of the Apes film which involves actors appearing as half human, half ape characters, just a thought but will this not cause confusion in the minds of some, young children in particular after watching this film?. Regarding films, I recall years ago the film King Kong did nothing for the reputation of male gorillas, as it portrayed them as large savage monsters with no resemblance whatsoever to the actual animal, Twycross however, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations recently had someone dressed up in a gorilla costume, King Kong was the name given to this character.
 
Animal Friendly said:
They do not however appear to have a problem associating themselves with this Planet of the Apes film which involves actors appearing as half human, half ape characters, just a thought but will this not cause confusion in the minds of some, young children in particular after watching this film?
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Given the film is certificate 12A (children under 12 not allowed unless accompanied by an adult) I can't see it being a major problem.

Animal Friendly said:
I recall years ago the film King Kong did nothing for the reputation of male gorillas, as it portrayed them as large savage monsters with no resemblance whatsoever to the actual animal, Twycross however, as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations recently had someone dressed up in a gorilla costume, King Kong was the name given to this character.
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I can't remember the 1930's version (long time since I've it) but both the 1970's and more recent version (especially) go a long way to eliciting sympathy for the ape and portray him as a victim of callous humans (there's a few people out there that got "itchy eyes" when Kong dies) so, again, I don't think this is a major problem.

Load's of zoos do mindless and misleading publicity stunts and promotions to get the punters in (Halloween opening anyone?) so I can't really get too over-heated about it (though stills showing male Lions on their feet when we all know they lie down all day does irk some:)).
 
Slightly away from the subject a bit but I remember in the mid seventies a well known circus staged a Christmas circus in Newcastle, first half traditional circus acts, second half "The Planet of the Apes direct from the television series", they rode horses etc, the management nearly had a disaster on their hands one evening when the apes went on strike for more money, and refused to perform until they got it, it was all settled amicabely, no need to call in any trade union on this occasion:)
 
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