Lou, The Chimp. 98% Human And Still Going Strong After 40 Years In A Cage
We knew chimpanzees are a 98% genetic match for humans. We didn’t, however, know Lou, a 42-year-old chimp who was born in Africa and brought to the U. S. when he was two.
In the season premiere of “Nature” on PBS, called “Chimpanzees: An Unnatural History,” we learn that Lou lived in New Mexico, where he was the object of a variety of medical experiments. They were, we are told, often risky and painful.
Then the documentary provides much better news about humans, who, according to the same biology, are 98% chimpanzee. We learn that there are some people who are dedicated to making Lou’s remaining years, as well as those of other chimps, more enjoyable.
The animals can’t be set free because they wouldn’t know how to survive in the wild. But Save the Chimps and other organizations are taking care of them in their latter years and creating homes where they can run free.
Now, Lou can do what the 2% genetic makeup in him lets him do far better than humans ever can: climb a tree.
Tom Attea, humorist and creator of NewsLaugh.com, has had six shows produced Off-Broadway. Critics have called his writing "delightfully funny," "witty," with "good, genuine laughs" and "great humor and ebullience."
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