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Pamela Rosaire and her husband, Roger Zoppe, used to exploit chimpanzees in a traveling circus act by parading them around by a rope noose, forcing them to wear degrading costumes, and compelling them to do backflips on horseback. Since audiences are now ghosting circuses that use wild animals, the chimpanzee act hasn’t performed in almost a decade—but the Rosaire-Zoppe fam refuses to allow the long-suffering chimpanzees to go to accredited sanctuaries. 😡
This is Ricky in a scene from Circus Rosaire. He was used for live shows at the Rosaires’ roadside zoo, where he was made to perform tricks for a crowd while wearing a rope noose around his neck.
These “trainers” have also used chimpanzees for media productions. Chance was infamously exploited in The Wolf of Wall Street and then in a circus-style sideshow at the Rosaire-Zoppe roadside zoo, and Ricky was forced into doing magazine cover shoots, TV shows and commercials, and photo op appearances.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has cited Rosaire-Zoppe Chimpanzees for not providing primates with environmental enrichment, enough space, and clean enclosures. One report says the animals were self-harming and acting in abnormal, repetitive ways indicating severe psychological distress. 😰
In recent years, multiple chimpanzees kept by this operation have died, some before reaching their typical life expectancy. Before it’s too late for others still in Rosaire and Zoppe’s possession, please ask the couple to work with the North American Primate Sanctuary Alliance to give these primates a glow-up at an accredited sanctuary. There, they would have the opportunity to socialize with other chimpanzees, get expert veterinary care, have space to roam, and enjoy a choice of complex enrichment activities. 😊