The INDsider -> The Independent Staff WED, APR 1 5:30AM by IND Monthly Staff

NIRC to become endangered species petting zoo

In a move that will delight members of PETA, UL Lafayette announced it will close the New Iberia Research Center and convert it into a petting zoo for endangered species. Under fire in recent weeks from the Humane Society of the United States for alleged cruelty to chimpanzees used in medical research, UL President T-Joe Savoie says he visited the research center and had a life-changing epiphany. “I looked deep into the eyes of Randy, [the oldest chip living at the center] and I realized we are brothers.” Savoie and Randy are both 53 years old. “Could it be?” the dazed university president was heard to murmur as he looked up at the spreading limbs of the massive live oaks on the UL campus.

Savoie plans to take the latest $30 million infusion from pharmaceutical companies funding the medical testing and construct a world class petting zoo to house the 327 chimps, as well as the roughly 6,300 monkeys living there. Visitors will be able to interact unimpeded with the great apes, which are thought to have the intellect of 5 year olds coupled with the strength of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. As soon at the landscaping is completed, Savoie intends to extend an invitation to Tiger Truck Stop attraction Tony, a 6-year-old Bengal tiger who has also been at the center of another animal rights investigation. “I can’t wait until all the animals are living peacefully together,” says Savoie. “I know Randy and Tony and I will be best friends.”

Articles by this Author:

View all articles by this author

Comments (8)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

...
written by ragin_cajun , April 01, 2009 - 05:45 pm

This is an April Fool's joke, right?

...
written by Apes love us , April 01, 2009 - 07:53 pm

Our fingers are not too much to sacrifice for interspecies understanding.

...
written by Lee Angers , April 02, 2009 - 02:09 pm

I was crying with joy and today was one of the best days of my life, until a friend called and told me it was likely a joke. If I thought putting a bullet in my head at the NIRC facility and ending my life would save these 6,660 animals, I would. So, you can imagine how sick, disgusted and disappointed I am in what you've done. This was emotionally devastating and I will never, ever pick up an independent again. I hope if there is a hell, you'll go straight there!

...
written by Concerned Lafayette resident , April 02, 2009 - 03:10 pm

T-Joe Savoie, did you know this was going to be written?
And if so, how did you think the people of Lafayette(UL)
would react? The NIRC facility situation is nothing to joking
around with. Many of us are working to save these animals and
I strongly suggest you follow thru with your proposed plan to
the T. It would be in your best interest, to say the least.

...
written by Sky Williamson , March 23, 2010 - 07:25 pm

This is GREAT news. Also thank you for thinking about Tony at Tiger Truck Stop www.freetony.com

...
written by Dee DeSantis , March 23, 2010 - 09:22 pm

This was definitely in very in poor taste and I am appalled of what I have learned about NIRC. And for your information, Tony, the tiger mentioned in this article, is now 9 years old and has lived at the truck stop for those 9 years - nearly half of his life since captive tigers live 15-20 years in captivity - that is captive tigers who receive the proper diet, medical care, enrichment and habitat. Sadly that is not the case for Tony. The Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries could have moved Tony to an accredited big cat sanctuary where he would have a natural habitat of earth, grass, trees, logs, a den, and pool to swim in, and the food, medical and enrichment he deserves. But they chose to issue a permit to the owner of the truck stop where he is kept on display 24/7 in a concrete and steel cell. www.http://www.freetony.com

...
written by Dee DeSantis , March 23, 2010 - 10:33 pm

Correct link for the Free Tony site: www.freetony.com

...
written by Sky Williamson , May 13, 2010 - 03:12 pm

Only people without a heart would think this is funny.

You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.

Most Read

Remembering Ricky Rees

The veteran police officer remembered by friends for his large and small acts of kindness will be laid to rest Wednesday.
Zachary Barker takes helm of the Opportunity Machine

Zachary Barker continues making waves in Lafayette’s business scene, mostly recently being named director of the Opportunity Machine.
Shakin' at the Shack

There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Lafayette’s ‘sinking ship’ is cash flow positive

“We’ve crossed that magic threshold,” LUS Director Terry Huval says.
Child porn nets deMahy 2 years in prison

Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.

in case you missed it

COOL TOWN 2013

This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A curious compact

A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
Pooyie 2012

It's good, it's bad and it's just plain crazy.
Saving Saturday Night

An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Posthaste vs. HART FORTENBERY

Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.