www.pgcitizen.ca | Monday, February 23, 2009 15 local Fast Facts: America's Sweetheart, Mary Pickford,was a Canadian. Prince George's Only Locally Owned & Operated 00643863 Don't ape idiotic behaviour Wild animals aren't pets, they're wild Ignorance and greed. These are two human characteristics destroying our animal population. Last week the headlines read that a 200-pound "domesticated", "pet" chimpanzee went berserk and savagely attacked a woman in Connecticut. Further reports said the ape turned into a monster. Over and over again the word "pet" was used. Folks, a chimpanzee is not a pet and never will be. It's an ape. Ape's are not pets. Domesticated apes? Not in this lifetime! Why are we repeatedly confronted with such incidents? Some of us simply have this absurd desire to anthropomorphise every creature on the face of the earth. Some think they are smarter than the animals and thus can control Mother Nature. This chimp didn't go on a rampage. Aggressive behaviour in chimpanzees is normal behaviour. This chimp was simply behaving like a chimp. He was a wild animal that a selfish person tried to turn into her little love child. Travis was a 200-pound, male chimpanzee. He appeared in TV commercials. People would even stop to take photos with him. Travis was treated like a member of a Connecticut household in the same fashion as a human. That is the root cause, which resulted in a human mutilation and his violent death. The victim was attacked while visiting the owner of the ape. When Travis began showing that he was still a wild animal, the owner tried to stab the ape with a butcher knife, but that didn't work. Travis ran into the nearby woods. When deaths and mutilations must be endured before we stop? Some of my readers got upset with me when I criticized Steve Irwin shortly after he was stabbed by a sting ray as a direct result of not respecting animals. Instead, he made his money taunting them and not respecting their space. He should be alive enjoying his children. Conversely, Jane Goodall spent years observing chimpanzees in the wild. She never once put diapers and dresses on any of her subjects, nor did she taunt them. She got more from these apes than anyone because she never asked them to be anything but a chimpanzee and respected them for being chimps. My heart goes out to that poor woman who is fighting for her life. I am also sorry for Travis whose only fault was being his own true self, a wild animal. The woman that held Travis hostage all those years should be held responsible for the death of the ape, not the police. So, will this be the episode to change the minds of those angry with me for advocating for the City's bylaw restricting exotic animals? Of course not. There will always be people who just do not understand. On another note: On Thursday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., the B.C. SPCA North Cariboo branch will be holding its annual general meeting at Art Space, upstairs at Books & Co. on Third Avenue. I am so very pleased to announce that Craig Daniel, CEO of the society, will be on hand to share with you the many exciting activities in the organization. There will be refreshments and prizes. Please come out and join us. 1014 Douglas Street (250) · 564-3880 · 1-866-604-3880 Funeral Service (2008) Ltd. · Land Title Service · Personal Property including: Vehicle Lien Searches, Repairer's Liens, Financing Statements · Corporate Registry Including: Filing Annual Reports, Business Registrations, Document Retrieval, Out of Province Business Registrations · Mobile Home Registrations Prince George police arrived, the ape tried to get into the police car. He knocked off a mirror. Several shots were fired. He eventually bled out from his wounds and was found in the house that he lived in. The victim spent seven hours in an operating room. Her hands were chewed but still barely connected to the wrists. Her face was ripped, her scalp was torn, and her eyes were a mess. She may recover physically, but she is not likely to recover from the emotional trauma. We hear, all too often, about attacks from wild/exotic animals. A woman I knew in Texas had a facility for big cats. There was one enclosure that she would walk by and put her arm in to pet the cats. One day that cat almost took her arm off. I have pictures of that 10second tiger bite. Write me an e-mail and I will send it to you. Just two years ago, a woman was killed in 100 Mile House by a big cat. Since then, our government has been working hard to get stricter laws in British Columbia to protect our citizens and our animals. The B.C. SPCA is playing a major role in that endeavour. When are humans going to act smarter? Just by putting diapers and a dress on an ape or a monkey it will not turn it into a daughter. Where is the logic? How many more NORTHERN REGISTRY SERVICES (2002) 250-564-0616 FAX 250-563-8622 TOLL FREE 1-800-292-8388 2640 Hammond Avenue, Prince George BC V2M 1A5 631899 Free Accessory* with purchase of any Stressless recliner Jan 2 - Mar 15 651958 250-563-7161 -- 1386 3rd Ave. FOOD FOR THOUGHT -- Darrell Roze, left, executive director of the Child Development Centre accepts a cheque for $5,000 from Gwen Mohns, manager customer service at RBC Royal Bank, Pine Centre branch, and Graham Longpre, manager of the branch.The money will fund the centre's hot-lunch program for a year. Citizen staff photo www.thenorthern.ca news tip? 562-2441, local 759 GUARANTEED CLASSIFIEDS WE WILL RUN YOUR AD* Spring into the water Prince George Leisure Services Spend your Spring Break at the pool where this year's theme is "Dinosaurs and Volcanos". Take a ride on a bubbling lava river, or participate in the exploding volcano cake walk. Explore the amazing fun facts of Dinosaurs and Volcano's. Children, youth and families will learn interesting facts about dinosaurs and volcano's through fun games and interactive activities. Don't miss this exciting, new Spring Break event March 16 ­ 20. For more information or to register for an aquatics program please call the City of Prince George at 561-7600 or visit: www.pgleisure.princegeorge.ca. VOLUNTEER AWARDS The City of Prince George is once again hosting the annual volunteer awards and youth of the year awards. Volunteers are the heart of our community and we need your help in recognizing those that give so much of themselves for Recreation spotlight others. The City of Prince George annually recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals in our community. Several awards are bestowed on the volunteers who contribute so much and make a difference in our community. These individuals are recognized and honoured at the Mayor's Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. If you know a volunteer who has made a significant contribution please let us know. There are four types of awards, they are the Recreation Award, Community Service Award, Youth of the Year Award and the Outstanding Volunteer Award. Nominations are due by 4:30 p.m. on March 2, and can be submitted to city hall. For more information or a nomination package please contact Community Services at 561-7640 or check out our website at www.city.pg.bc.ca, click on Residents Information, click on Awards & Recognition. SELLS! 562-6666 G UNTIL IT ARANTEE U STARTING AS LOW AS D D 562-6666 Dinner in February is Fabulous at Esther's Steak & 2 Lobster Tails $ 99 & Salad Bar...................... 19 Sizzler Platters Beef, Chicken, Salmon or Halibut, Vegetable Stir-fry, Potatoes or Rice, Salad $ Bar........................................................... LA S SIFIE D $ 42 Daily Lunch and Dinner Buffets Great food....even better prices! 1899 get l You arway.s.. mo e at 1151 Commercial Crescent Prince George, BC 250-562-4131 Toll Free 1-800-663-6844 www.esthersinn.com 650876 CALL TODAY FOR DETAILS Ads are scheduled for 24 days. + GST If your item has not sold in this time, *PRIVATE PARTIES ONLY - NO REFUNDS Sorry, does not apply to personal ads and rental units or commercial ventures) PLEASE CALL TO RENEW AT NO CHARGE Phone: 250 562-6666 Fax: 250 960-2762 00490367 S C