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Primate experts from around the world have also joined in the condemnation of the TV commercial featuring performing chimpanzees.
The commercial, first screened in May and due to be aired again in July, has now led to 100+ complaints to the Independent Television Commission, including some from Halfords staffers.
The Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) launched a campaign in May to persuade Halfords to withdraw the commercial.
Since then primate experts from all over the world have expressed their "horror", says CAPS, at the "exploitation of chimpanzees and told of their concern that the portrayal of the endangered species in this way damages their work to protect them."
Primate organisations calling for the advert to be scrapped include the Jane Goodall Institute, Monkey Sanctuary Trust, Sumatran Orangutan Society, Primate Freedom Project, International Primate Protection League and the Sanaga-Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Center in West Central Africa.
Craig Redmond, CAPS campaigns officer, said:
"Halfords must surely be embarrassed at the level of criticism against their use of chimpanzees, from the public, primate experts and from those within the entertainment
industry.
"We urge Halfords to withdraw this commercial and for all companies to reconsider using animals in advertisements."
