EmoryLies.com

Findings of Expert Examiners of Berosini Orang-utans.

September 12, 1989

On September 12, 1989, and pursuant to court order, three expert observers, Michael J. Wolff, D.V.M., Robert M. Stone, D.V.M. and Robert W. Shumaker, primate behaviorist, observed seven Berosini Orang-utans for approximately two hours at the Berosini residence in Las Vegas. Drs. Wolff and Stone also performed a physical examination of the animals. Those animals are:

1. Tiga, 21 year old adult female

2. Popi, 18 year old adult female

3. Rusty, 14 year old adolescent male

4. Benny, 10 year old juvenile male

5. Bo, 7 year old juvenile female

6. Lucy, 5 year old juvenile female

7. Nicky, 5 year old juvenile female

Drs. Stone and Wolff after extensive examination of the animals were able to reach the following conclusions:

1. Physical lesions consistent with those that would be produced by the blows shown in the PeTA Berosini Orang-utans videotape.

2. Apprehension and distress in the Orang-utans, including distress vocalizations.

3. Evidence of discomfort in certain areas of the body.

In addition to the above findings, supporting physical injury, Drs. Stone and Wolff remain concerned about the following issues:

1. Inadequate housing for the animals.

2. Routine surgical extraction of the canine teeth.

3. Social deprivation of the animals.

4. No opportunities for breeding and reproduction

5. Lack of routine tuberculosis testing of the animals.

The specific findings concerning each of the animals examined is as follows:

A. Tiga

1. Bilaterally, diffuse, reddened, alopecic (devoid of hair) hyperpigmented forearms and orange/bronze skin discoloration indicative of chronic inflammation and irritation consistent with stereotypic self-mutilation.

2. A focal, approximately 7-8 cm diameter warm, elevated, subcutaneous, soft tissue lesion located over the dorso-medial extremity of the right scapula (shoulder blade), and a similar 2-3 cm lesion located over the lower left scapula, which are indicative of localized swelling and inflammation consistent with traumatic blows of the variety observed of the PeTA videotape.

3. Apprehensive demeanor, including looking nervously over her shoulder.

4. Deficient muscular development in both arms consistent with inadequate opportunities for upper body exercise.

5. Appeasement/distress vocalizations exhibited frequently during restraint by Berosini and assistants.

6. Stress indicated by immediate urination when first approached by Berosini.

B. Popi

1. Absence of all four canine teeth consistent with surgical extraction.

2. Roughened thickening of soft tissue along mid-dorsal neck indicative of observed in association with traumatic blows of the variety seen in the PeTA video.

3. Gentle shoulder palpation elicited wincing, gutteral stress vocalizations and postural shifting, indicative of tenderness and apprehension.

4. Stress indicated by immediate urination when first approached by Berosini, accompanies by frequent submissive/distress vocalizations.

5. Prolonged disorientation upon emerging from enclosure (bus), characterized by slow body movements and dulled facial expression.

C. Rusty

1. Absence of all four canine teeth consistent with surgical extraction.

2. Approximately 6-8 cm long, 2 cm raised, oval soft tissue lesion located at proximal lumbar dorsal midline (mid back) characterized by thickened, possible hyperkeratotic, hyperpigmented, allopecic tissue, consistent with the chronic granulation tissue. The orientation of the lesion (long axis horizontal) and the lack of ulveraton are more consistent with lesions produced from chronic blunt trauma of the variety expected from the shape and mode of use of the instrument seen used by Berosini in the PeTA video, than they are from chronic pressure lesions (bedsores). (Photos taken)

3. Frequent submissive/distress vocalizations exhibited during restraint by Berosini and assistants.

4. Excessive diffuse dental tartar present.

5. Stress indicated by immediate urination when first approached by Berosini.

6. Restraint and precautions were intensified, verbally and physically, by Berosini and the handlers suggesting increased relative difficulty in controlling this animal.

7. Atypical apprehension and sensitivity characterized by postural wincing and submissive/distress vocalization as Berosini reached toward the genital region of the animal.

D. Benny

1. Stress indicated by immediate urination and defecation accompanied by submissive/distress vocalizations when first approached by Berosini.

2. Multiple bilaterally, asymmetrical, linear, irregular indented, pigmented lesions located proximo-lateral zygomatic region (cheekbones) indicative of healing soft tissue lesions consistent with the type of facial blow delivered to this particular ape on the PeTA video. (Request for photos refused by Berosini and associates).

E. Lucy

1. Unremarkable findings.

F. Bo

1. Unremarkable findings.

Berosini's Orangutans-Current Studbook Information-Documentation current as of 6/1/89.

NAME	STUDBK#	AGE	SEX	RACE	DOB&ARRIVAL	LOCATION
Tiga	957	20	F	S	08/01/68 08/27/72	Yerkes Berosini
Popi	1141	18	F	B	04/23/71 08/27/73	Yerkes Berosini
Rusty/Jiran	1442	14	M	S	05/15/75 07/08/75	Yerkes Berosini

Benny/Akar/ Johnathon	1703	10	M	S	03/06/79 04/1981	Phoenix* Berosini
Bo	1864	7	F	S	01/16.82 11/29/82	Phoenix* Berosini
Lucy	1972	5	F	X	02/11/84 08/1984	Chicago Berosini
Nicky/ Kirana/ Sammy	1981	4	F	X	07/01/84 11/13/84 04/1987	Toledo Yerkes Berosini

Key:: B=Bornean S=Sumatran X=Hybrid

*was property of Phoenix Zoo, shipped directly from San Diego to Berosini via F.J. Zeehandelaar.

Note: Berosini's documentation states, in a letter dated 6/9/87 to FWS from Ben Boley, that:

(a) Johnathon was purchased in 4/87 from Pet Farm, Miami, Fl.

(b) Jiran was purchased in 9/82 from Yerkes

(d) Kiruna was purchased in 4/87 from Yerkes.

Michael J. Wolff, D.V.M.--At the time of the examination of Berosini's animals, Dr. Wolff had been veterinarian at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. for two years. In his capacity as a veterinarian he acquired extensive experience in the medical and husbandry management of a large collection of primates including direct involvement in the care of eight orangutans including infant, juvenile and adult individuals. His veterinary interaction with the orangutans required the development of an understanding of individual, group and species-specific behavioral, psychological and anatomical characteristics. This included the evaluation of changes in physical appearance and behaviors as they relate to stressors such as disease states, environmental upsets (diet, exhibit changes, group dynamics, etc.). Specific examples would include evaluating physical and behaviorial signs indicative of pain, depression, anxiety, fear and aggression.

Robert Stone D.V.M.-at the time of the examination had practiced exotic and zoo medicine for more than 35 years. He worked with many species of primates. For 10 years he was veterinarian for the International Animal Exchange. Stone published several papers on exotic animals and was an editorial reviewer for the Merck Veterinary Manual.

Rob Shumaker, Primate Caretaker,- was employed at the National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. At the time of this examination he had worked with orangutans for 7 years and had extensive experience in all areas of orangutan management and was currently working with 8 orangutans of various ages.