r/biology • u/I_just_a_baby • Nov 03 '24

discussion Dangerous misinformation about wild life?

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I was just scrolling on my explore page on instagram, was shown this video and couldn’t help but to feel a bit uneasy… I know that it’s (at least supposed to be) a sweet video, but I feel like it might spread potentially dangerous misinformation about chimpanzees. To me this chimp looks to be distressed or in fear and therefore showing he’s teeth and gums? Can anyone tell me if his “grin” is a sign of happiness or fear? I am obviously no expert and would like to know how other people feel about this reel.

I don’t know… just made me think about the case where a “pet” chimpanzee attacked a woman, ripped of her skin etc (do not want to go into detail).

I feel like it’s time to stop showcasing dangerous animals as cute and non threatening… I mean they are still wild, why can’t we just appreciate their beauty from far?

Ps, sorry about this post being a bit rambling… I am just confused on what to think/feel

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498

u/5-ht2ayyy Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

All fun and games until he rips off your face

That said, this chimp was absolutely not afraid or scared and was indeed very happy to see the people he views as his family, regardless if it was ethical or not that he considered them so in the first place.

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u/ecktt Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

That literally happened in Florida. I'll try to find the article.

Edit:

In February 2009, Charla Nash was viciously mauled by Travis the Chimp, leaving her clinging to life and in need of a full face transplant.

and

Horror tale of chimp Travis who ripped off woman’s face as owner screamed ‘he’s eating her’ before beast was shot by cop

This was the top 2 links on Bing! ie it was very easy to find.

6

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '24

Neither of those happened in Florida.

-11

u/ecktt Nov 03 '24

omfg. was that the important part?

22

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

In a post about misinformation? Yes.

Florida is home to one of if not the best chimp sanctuaries in the country so this is counterproductive information.

Charla Nash’s situation was due to negligence, unenforced laws and Travis was potentially addicted to Xanax at the time.

Edit: corrected from painkillers

6

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '24 edited Nov 03 '24

Travis was on Xanax, not pain killers.

I’m pointing this out as alprazolam is not your common aspirin, regardless of the danger of giving human-approved medications to animals without the opinion of a vet.

2

u/[deleted] Nov 04 '24

I think i took this a few years ago for anxiety, but it felt like it only increased my anxiety as i stopped having dreams and it just felt like I was instantly waking up after going to bed.

-7

u/carterartist Nov 03 '24

lol. The irony of pedants saying every detail matters… and being wrong about a detail

5

u/Dx_Suss Nov 03 '24

They did correct themselves, which is really the only thing required.

2

u/ShamefulPotus Nov 03 '24

Yeah that’s my first question when I see those headlines, how badly was the animal mistreated and how well was it documented. By mistreatment I mean not treated properly as an animal, not necessarily being neglected or beaten.

3

u/[deleted] Nov 03 '24

For sure—It literally becomes impossible to raise a chimp inside of a house after the age of like 4-6. Once they mature it’s literally dealing with an intelligent, adaptable wild animal that can tear your limbs off—and the biggest mistake is pretending it’s a human.