// Boots removes all images of great apes that may be “damaging” after talk with PETA
// Peta said images of chimpanzees wearing costumes, displayed in studios, or interacting with humans are “misleading”
// The chimpanzee species is currently facing extinction, PETA says
Boots has stopped selling cards that feature “damaging” images of great apes in all its stores following a call with animal rights organisation PETA US.
This follows a similar move by online greeting cards retailer Moonpig, which scrapped images of captive great apes from its products in 2019.
Meamwhile, stock-image agencies including Getty Images, Shutterstock, and Dreamstime are banning such images of primates.
READ MORE:
- Boots to cut 300 jobs at Nottingham head office
- Moonpig pulls captive great ape greeting cards after PETA appeal
“Chimpanzees aren’t models or props, and clownish photos of them wearing clothes or sitting at desks put these endangered animals at risk,” PETA corporate projects director Yvonne Taylor said.
“PETA urges everyone to make loved ones smile with greetings cards featuring humans or cartoons, not endangered and exploited animals.”
The organisation said that images of chimpanzees wearing costumes, displayed in studios, or interacting with humans are “misleading” as it leads to consumers believing the primates are thriving, when they are currently facing extinction.
Peta added that these portrayals may also increase the black market demand for endangered great apes as “pets”, which is one of the main forces driving them towards extinction.
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