The public pressure was having an effect. At the end of May this year, the NYBC collapsed and reached an agreement with the Humane Society. According to the agreement, it will pay six million dollars to continue the LCR. The HSUS contributes approximately the same amount and takes over the further care of the animals. T
his includes not only feed and veterinary supervision, but also the construction of shelters and other infrastructure on the monkey islands. Future costs will be shared by both organizations, with the HSUS relying on donations and other contributions.
Beneficiaries are the 63 primates currently living in groups of nine to 13 individuals on the six islands in the Farmington River. 14 of them were born after the end of the Vilab program and are now twelve or less years old. "I am pleased that the two organizations agreed to a forward-looking agreement that promises life-long care for these long-lived and social creatures," commented HSUS President Wayne Pacelle on the agreement.
"The Humane Society will find the resources to ensure that these chimpanzees experience only human kindness for the rest of their lives. It seems that the maltreated primates who suffered in the service of research for human health have now finally secured a peaceful retirement.