“House of Cards” star Kate Mara is urging her fans to support rescued baby chimps.
Appealing to her near 300,000 followers, Mara, who follows a vegan lifestyle, promoted the Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) organization, where she visited in September.
Via Instagram, she said, “Every day, with the help of exceptionally dedicated staff – the Desmonds provide round the clock care to help these orphaned individuals recover from the intense physical and emotional trauma they’ve suffered at the hands of humans.”
She continued, “Through their organization [the LCRP] the Desmonds are working in tandem with the Liberian government and global conservation partners to create a better life for these chimpanzees and to ensure that Liberia’s wild chimpanzees remain wild.”
Mara also flagged the risks posed to the chimps. She wrote, “The chimpanzee orphans at LCRP’s sanctuary in West Africa are tragically victims of the bushmeat and live pet trades whose mothers were killed.”
“They are only with LCRP because they need 24/7 care and are being rehabilitated so they can live once again in a natural setting with other chimpanzees, where they belong.” She stressed, “Chimps ARE NOT and SHOULD NOT be PETS or be forced to live with humans!”
The celeb urged her fans to help “build them their forever homes” by donating, adding that the fundraiser is matched $1 for $1 up to the value of $200,000 until the end of the year.
Mara initially went vegan five years ago for her health, a decision which she described as a “no-brainer.” Alongside her sister, entrepreneur and fellow vegan actor Rooney Mara, the star first visited Liberia with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) to raise funds for the chimpanzee care program.
Mara has also used her social media platform to defend turkey’s rights, asking her fans “This Thanksgiving, please consider sponsoring one of the many turkeys who were rescued from this very holiday.”
She has also spoken out against fashion which exploits animals. In March, she announced plans to completely remove all leather from her wardrobe, adding, “I’ve never worn fur, and I’m very much against it, but I also know that leather is probably just as bad.”
Image credit: Kate Mara
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