Lab Chimps See Sunlight For The First Time (VIDEO)

If this doesn't make your eyes mist up a little, there might be something wrong with you.

RTL, a German television station, provided this tearjerking footage of lab chimps taking their first steps of freedom outdoors and into the sun.

It's in German, but we can gather that this was the first time the animals had ever been let loose in natural daylight.

Feel-good footage aside, the use of chimps in research has long been a hot-button issue.

A few months ago, 180 chimpanzees at a federal primate facility in New Mexico were the subject of a debate between the National Institutes of Health and animal-rights activists, who wanted the chimps to be released to a sanctuary where they could run free.

But no matter which side you're on, watching these animals is sure to leave you in a good mood.

WATCH:

Comments

[Kim0330]

10:23 PM on 09/09/2011

Awwww, that was sweet....

[Alice Stottko]

02:44 PM on 09/08/2011

God bless all the wonderful people who made this possible.

[CanUFeel2012]

03:59 AM on 09/08/2011

Forever Tear

[CanUFeel2012]

03:53 AM on 09/08/2011

I don't even like seeing a dog tied up... I don't know how these people could sleep at night, every night...enjoying their lives while chimps in cages don't even know what sun light is.

[Keeek]

06:27 PM on 09/07/2011

This is amazing!

(narrator) For the first time in their lives they see the sun..
..after decades inside the laboratory, these are the first steps of the chimpanzees in freedom.

Michael Aufhauser from Aiderbichl Ape Refuge: They were hugging each other as if they would've said: 'ultimately free!' and then they... laughed. Imagine you've been incarcerated in a lift for 30 years. And then after those 30 years the door of this lift opens and there you are... with friends... You' say: 'I don't believe it!'

They've seen humans only in such protective clothing which reminded to space suits. They've had no contact at all, they didn't learn to climb, as they were brought into laboratory when they were babies. And now, at once, they were allowed to walk out.

(narrator) Most of the 38 laboratory apes spent their whole lives behind bars. Since 2002 they are in Gaenserndorf in an Austrian sanctuary and were very slowly prepared for their lives in freedom.
This moment of freedom was for the animals as the humans one of a kind.

Michael: I've seen a female chimpanzee as she looked at a butterfly - entirely fascinated. She knew such – from back then when she was a baby in the jungle. And now suddenly she sees a butterfly again.

(narrator) ...and these apes, who were born inside the laboratory, discover this for the very first time, the fresh air, the grass, their freedom..

[Ganeshari]

01:32 AM on 09/08/2011

Thank you for the translation! As sad as it is. Hopefully this abuse can and will stop someday.

[Bush Liberated Me]

04:30 PM on 09/07/2011

Maybe one day HP can show a blind person seeing for the first time, benefiting from animal experimentation?

[dianetig]

04:43 PM on 09/07/2011

Looks like you're the blind one, blind to animals pain and suffering.

[Chris Morey1]

02:18 PM on 09/07/2011

Boy, the dramatic music sure gets my emotions going... (sarcasm).

[Jeff Klenck]

01:36 PM on 09/07/2011

I for one nominate or ex-VP Cheney to take the place of these Chimps. He's fit right in.

[Bush Liberated Me]

04:28 PM on 09/07/2011

Jeff: Did you ever speak of a Muslim terrorist with such disdain?

[roads]

08:18 AM on 09/08/2011

He is talking about a terrorist. Where have you been?

[roads]

08:18 AM on 09/08/2011

excellent idea. after all...it wouldn't be torture.....LOL.

[Jeff Klenck]

01:33 PM on 09/07/2011

what a shame for these animals. They look terrible scarred, hair missing. Were trhese Hitlers left overs?

[kalico500]

12:56 PM on 09/07/2011

Chimps are our closest relatives in the animal world. Man likes to FORGET that he too is an animal. NO ONE , NO SOCIETY has the right to do this to animals no matter what the medical outcome. You want more accurate research results? Use inmates on death row who have raped and murdered-who have held children captive for years and tortured them. Leave the chimps, apes, gorillas and other innocent animals alone!!!!
I hope these doctors and scientist spend eternity feeling what these animals felt while being experimented on!!!

[garrarest1]

05:36 PM on 09/26/2011

Pretty mean statement from one who is enlightened.

[mystshy]

12:31 PM on 09/07/2011

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww love free...............

[Horsetales10]

11:21 AM on 09/07/2011

Does anyone else see the irony of having an Aveeno (who conducts animal testing) ad as a sidebar on a video regarding laboratory animals?

[LivelyLexie]

07:53 AM on 09/07/2011

This video made me smile, but broke my heart.

[Anjushri]

10:54 PM on 09/06/2011

A couple of interesting blogs by a Distinguished Professor of Law and Philosophy at Rutgers Uni (NJ USA) - Prof. Gary L. Francione. He writes extensively about animal ethics.

Vivisection, Part One: The “Necessity” of Vivisection | Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach http://bit.ly/ol179F

Vivisection, Part Two: The Moral Justification of Vivisection | Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach http://bit.ly/oREDH0

[Judith Jaehn]

01:01 PM on 09/07/2011

It's truly a shame that such a disagreement turned in to a terrible argument between Steve and Gary. We thought everything would work out but that was not to be. Most of us went with Steve. Such a shame!!

Let Vegan Reign!!

[Anjushri]

06:22 AM on 09/08/2011

"Steve and Gary"? Do you mean Steve Best? Steve Best promotes violence. Prof. Francione rejects violence.

[Anjushri]

06:26 AM on 09/08/2011

PS: On Vivisection and Violence
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/on-vivisection-and-violence/

[f0t0o1]

09:45 PM on 09/06/2011

I don't see how anyone could mistreat an animal. I just don't understand the mindset. Animals used for research are another thing. I don't like the idea of it but it is a necessary evil.

[gioconda]

01:20 AM on 09/07/2011

You are wrong. The data collected from animal experiments does not apply in humans. Experiments on primates are bullsh&& and simply cruel.

Many great scientists and doctors came to that conclusion years ago. Animal experiements are pointless.

[f0t0o1]

10:24 AM on 09/07/2011

When was the lat time you volunteered for such an undertaking?

[Chad Wheeler]

05:10 PM on 09/08/2011

No animal experimentation has ever resulted in any benefits or advances to medical science? Really?

[mikeypod]

08:00 AM on 09/07/2011

SO, which is it. You can or can't see how someone can mistreat an animals? You say you can't and then immediately justify why we should mistreat animals.

[f0t0o1]

10:23 AM on 09/07/2011

I suppose, then, you would be willing to submit yourself or perhaps one of your children for medical research. You know you can volunteer to be a guinea pig at any time as long as you sign enough waivers.