Theft of monkeys driven by market demand for primates as pets
Earlier this week, five tamarin monkeys were stolen from Blackpool Zoo. It has been reported that it was a targeted theft from two enclosures and includes the loss of a mother and a baby.
Although police involved in the investigation widened the search to Europe; circulating the monkeys’ details to ports and airports in case thieves attempted to take them abroad, it was just as likely that they were to be sold in the UK due to the legal trade and subsequent demand.
An internet scan of the past 10 years reveals 88 reported primate thefts, including figures from The National Theft Register. Experts believe that there is evidence that suggests the legal trade in exotics drives the illegal trade.
In the UK alone, the primate pet trade has seen an increase in recent years – figures obtained under the freedom of information act indicate a 21% rise in primate licences since 2009 and it is estimated that there are about 5,000 privately owned primates in the UK.
The primate pet trade is a lucrative business, with capuchin monkeys attracting up to £8,000 per individual and marmosets around £2,000; prices which have risen considerably over recent years.
Wild Futures, the leading primate welfare charity in the UK who has been campaigning for an end to the cruel trade for the past 10 years, knows only too well the extent of the problem in the UK. It runs a rescue and rehabilitation centre for ex-pet monkeys in Cornwall – The Monkey Sanctuary.
The Monkey Sanctuary has taken in 39 monkeys since 2001; all the rescued monkeys suffer in some way following their time kept as pets. For instance, a third of the capuchins – also a popular pet – suffer with diabetes due to malnutrition. Others suffer with disabilities caused by bone disease, having been kept in confined conditions without access to natural sunlight. Many have missing digits or tails, and display stereotypical issues such as self-harming and pacing.
Wild Futures receives calls on a regular basis to take in more monkeys and currently has 5 on its waiting list. Its rescue centre is nearly full.
Earlier this year an inquiry was carried out by the government into whether primates should be kept as pets and if a ban was to be implemented, how it would be put into practice. Wild Futures gave written and oral evidence at a select committee hearing in parliament, and along with the RSPCA called for a ban. A report is due to be published this month.
Rachel Hevesi, Director of Wild Futures states: “We were very upset to hear about the theft and are relieved to read that four of the monkeys are now safe. To date, we don’t know the fate of the baby. The tragedy is that infants are often taken from their mothers far too early, resulting in many deaths or long term welfare harm. The lack of regulations and clarity of what is and is not allowed in the primate trade is encouraging a trade that inevitably leads to many monkeys suffering physically and psychologically. The trade is giving a monetary value to these highly endangered and specialised animals, which leads to crimes like this theft. The true value of these primates is as individuals and as part of an ecological system that maintains a healthy rainforest, which in turn protects the planet from climate change.”
Although many primate pet owners are required to obtain a Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWA) licence, unfortunately several species are excluded from this requirement. This makes it impossible to know any details concerning the trade in primates: the quantity, location, how they are kept, how many they are kept with etc. But even for the species that do require a DWA licence, there is a huge non compliance – 8 out of 10 owners fail to obtain one – leaving the entire trade totally unregulated. Some species, including some tamarins, require a special Article 10 licence, but Wild Futures has evidence that there is poor compliance and ignorance by both owners and law enforcement authorities.
Rachel Hevesi, Director of Wild Futures added: “Sadly, in the UK the regulation of the primate pet trade is a complete mess. We are failing these highly intelligent, complex animals on so many levels. We know all too well the damage the trade causes and it is for these reasons that we are calling for a ban. The suffering must end.”
With only 6,000 left in the wild, tamarins are in very serious danger of extinction in their native Colombia due to deforestation. In the wild, they would be found in groups of 2-12 and live for an average of 13.5 years.
Anyone looking to support the ban in primates as pets is asked to email [email protected] for more information and petition links. You can also find out more information on the primate pet trade at www.wildfutures.org.
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Notes to Editors:
Release date: 3rd May 2014.
About Wild Futures
Wild Futures (Charity reg. No. 1102532) is an educational and environmental charity promoting the welfare and conservation of primates, and working to end the abuse of primates in captivity. Its flagship project, The Monkey Sanctuary, in Cornwall, is home to victims of the primate pet trade. The Monkey Sanctuary is accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and is a founder member of EARS (European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries). Wild Futures is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2014. Drawing on its 50 years of primate expertise, Wild Futures acts as an advisory body to sanctuaries and conservation organisations in the UK and overseas and advises DEFRA on UK animal welfare legislation.
For more information contact:
Hayley Dann, Head of Income Generation and PR
+44 (0) 844 272 1271