10-Year-Old Activist Works to Free Chimps From Labs

Chimpanzees have some powerful allies, including celebrities like Pamela Anderson and Emily Deschanel. But one of the most dedicated, and perhaps the most inspiring, friend of the chimps is 10-year-old Brandon Wood. Through his blog, Make a Chimp Smile, Brandon is raising money for Save the Chimps Sanctuary and raising awareness for the Great Ape Protection Act to free chimpanzees from laboratories.

It all started last December, when Brandon started flooding his mom's inbox with chimpanzee photos. He wanted one as a pet. But in the course of his research, he found the Save the Chimps Sanctuary website. He realized that chimpanzees belong in the wild or in sanctuaries, not in homes or labs. But he didn't give up on the apes. Even if he couldn't have one, he could still help one.

Through Save the Chimps, Brandon learned about Elway, a 10-year-old chimp. Elway was safe at the sanctuary, but his dad, Boy, was still in the labs at the Coluston Foundation. Not only were Elway and Brandon around the same age, but Brandon was separated from his dad, too, who has been working in Afghanistan and Iraq for the past five years.

Brandon was determined to reunite Elway and Boy. That's when he launched Make a Chimp Smile.

Before Brandon could raise enough money, Boy was migrated to the sanctuary. It was great news, but there are a lot of other chimps like Boy who are still condemned to life in a lab, and those who have been freed to sanctuaries are expensive to care for. So the fundraising continues. Brandon has also turned his attention to the Great Ape Protection Act, a law that would end federal research on chimpanzees and free more than 1,000 chimps to sanctuaries.

When I asked him how being an activist for chimps has changed the way he sees the world, Brandon responded: "I've learned that some things just shouldn't be done, like chimps in labs. If you're not getting anything out of it, then why do it? I think we have to help those who can't help themselves — like the chimps!"

Brandon has received a lot of recognition for his hard work. He's been featured in several articles, both by humane organizations and the regular media. He had the opportunity to speak at a Save the Chimps luncheon and at Central Florida's Earth Day festival. He also received an honorable mention nod from the International Eco-Hero Awards. Recently, Brandon got a 3-page handwritten letter from Dr. Jane Goodall, telling him about the different chimps and encouraging him to write her any time.

Despite all his time in the spotlight, Brandon's favorite moment was a quieter one — when he received a surprise invitation to visit the Save the Chimps sanctuary. He got to see the great apes firsthand and learn their stories and everything they'd been through. It made him even happier that Boy "made it to his island."

And when asked which accomplishment he's most proud of, Brandon humbly answered, "I am most proud of making people aware of chimpanzees. Lots of people never thought of them being in labs and all that they go through. I have changed people's minds and they have helped me speak out for the Great Apes. I couldn't have done it without great people helping me."

He hopes the Great Ape Protection Act passes soon. What's next, after the chimps are safe? "I have been thinking and if I was to choose a cause, I would probably try to help homeless people or military families that have lost a mother or father. If I was picking an animal cause, I would help stop dog fighting with pit bulls. Pit bulls aren't bad — it is the owners that train them and abuse them to make them fight."

I know I'm glad to have such a compassionate, dedicated person on our side ... and so are the animals.

Brandon is still raising money for chimps who need our help - learn more at Make a Chimp Smile. He's also asking everyone to write congress and ask your representatives to co-sponsor the Great Ape Protection Act.

Photo courtesy of Deanna Wood