Action for Primates
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Action for Primates |
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The following are news releases for 2024. See elsewhere for news releases from other years.
Index of news releases; select date & title to access:
13 November 2024: Jail for women in UK monkey torture case
Two women have been imprisoned for their part in a global monkey torture ring that paid for and ordered baby monkeys to be tortured and killed in Indonesia to create videos to be circulated online. Holly LeGresley, who was sentenced to two years and Adriana Orme, who was sentenced to 15 months, both pleaded guilty to charges of publishing an obscene article and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The sentences have been welcomed by animal protection groups Action for Primates and Lady Freethinker, who have spent over three years investigating the sadistic world of animal torture groups. The convictions are part of an international effort by law enforcement agencies in several countries, in particular the UK and the USA, to identify and prosecute those groups and individuals who facilitate the torture of baby monkeys. Several people in the USA are already serving prison sentences.
Sarah Kite, spokesperson for Action for Primates, and who assisted the UK police with their investigation, stated: We are extremely grateful to West Mercia Police for bringing these charges. Anyone involved in this type of behaviour must be held to account, and others need to know that such extreme cruelty and depravity will never be tolerated. We hope these sentences will deter others from becoming involved in these perverted and sadistic activities.
Nina Jackel, Founder, Lady Freethinker, stated: The horrors being inflicted on innocent, baby monkeys for online videos are sickening, and strong actions must be taken to protect animals from such brutality at the hands of humans. Those involved in the creation or distribution of animal torture content for 'enjoyment' pose a threat to both animals and humans, and they must be held accountable.
LeGresley and Orme were members of a Telegram group run by Michael Macartney from Virginia, USA, who called himself "the Torture King". Macartney, who was recently sentenced to three years and four months in prison for conspiring to make and distribute "animal crush" videos, ran several online Telegram groups that facilitated the 'torture, murder and sexually sadistic mutilation' of baby long-tailed macaques for 'fun'. LeGresley, who called herself "The Immolator", was an administrator of this group and even ran a poll for group members to vote on the method of torture they wanted to see inflicted upon a monkey for a video to be made, funded by the group. The choices included sealing a monkey inside a jar with red ants, applying a painful substance to the wounds created by a cheese grater or gluing together various parts of a monkey's body.
The perverted 'enjoyment' LeGresley and Orme obtained from watching baby monkeys brutally tortured and abused in the most sadistic ways is horrifying and evident in the sickening comments they made in group chats on Telegram:
Orme:I love mental torture. It's funny what you can reach and see how they change.
I would start fucking them up mentally, then slowly bit by bit physically, torture them, heal them, torture them, heal them. Keep them alive like this for as long as possible.
Yeah beatings or dragging and then feeding with its mouth taped lol.
LeGresley:I feel very satisfied when I see monkeys suffer too. It makes me happy.
I like it, the little rat got sliced up good and proper, and it survived long enough to suffer! whats the point in just killing them? Thats no fun.
I wonder if they could simply lower a baby monkey into boiling water. I'd quite like to see one try to swim as it burns alive.
Members of these online torture groups are primarily active on platforms such as Telegram and get 'pleasure' from watching helpless and vulnerable infant monkeys – some just a few days old – in terror and pain fighting for their lives. The extreme cruelty inflicted upon the baby monkeys included being set alight; having parts of their body cut off, including limbs, genitals, fingers and toes; their bones broken with a hammer; their heads squeezed in a clamp; beaten viciously; and having their eyes drilled out with a power tool.
The evidence obtained during the investigations by Action for Primates, a UK-based project that advocates globally on behalf of non-human primates, and Lady Freethinker, a US-based animal protection organisation, has been given to various law enforcement agencies and spurred the BBC investigation and documentary about online monkey torture gangs – "The Monkey Haters" – which helped lead to the inclusion of animal cruelty in the UK Online Safety Act.
Disturbingly, many graphic and violent videos paid for by members in Telegram groups – depicting extreme violence and sexual abuse inflicted upon baby monkeys, including genital mutilation – have appeared on mainstream social media platforms such as Facebook. By allowing these people to operate and post monkey torture content, social media companies are facilitating criminal activity on their platforms.
Notes to Editor:
About Action for Primates:
Action for Primates is a UK-based project that campaigns on behalf of non-human primates globally. Action for Primates raises awareness about the plight of and threats to non-human primates around the world and works to end their exploitation, whether in captivity or in the wild. Action for Primates Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
About Lady Freethinker:
Founded in 2013, LFT is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans and the planet. Through its undercover investigations, news reporting, and petitions, LFT brings to light suffering that may otherwise go ignored and works toward lasting, systemic change. LFT also provides direct aid to animal rescue. LFT Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
For further information:
Sarah Kite
E-mail: info@actionforprimates.org
Website: hhttps://actionforprimates.org/
Nina Jackel
E-mail: Nina.J@LadyFreethinker.org
Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
13 September 2024: Concerns that monkeys from Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia are to end up in farms exporting monkeys to laboratories
Animal protection group, Action for Primates, is raising concerns over the fate of the free-living monkeys at the Angkor Wat temple complex following reports that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to carry out a census of the monkeys (https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/fia-to-conduct-nationwide-monkey-census-aims-to-curb-biting-incidents). They stated they will catch individuals considered to pose a 'risk to humans' in order to relocate them or send them to breeding farms. Action for Primates is concerned that these monkeys are 'paying the price' for the many years of inaction by the authorities to put an end to treating the monkeys as a tourist attraction. The government have allowed the monkeys to become habituated to people, in particular through feeding. As a result, the monkeys now aggressively seek food from people, something they would not normally do. Further, video operators have been allowed to interfere with the wild troops in order to create online content to post on social media platforms, often for money. Cambodia is one of several countries in SE Asia to export thousands of long-tailed macaques every year for the global research and toxicity (poisoning) testing industry.
Sarah Kite, Co-founder, Action for Primates, stated: The monkeys at Angkor Wat are paying the price for inappropriate and preventable human behaviour. The deliberate interference and harassment by video operators for online 'entertainment' is inhumane and unacceptable. There is an urgent need for a humane management plan to be put in place. Capturing and separating individuals from their family and social troops is not humane and will not be effective in the long run. Sending them to breeding farms is exceptionally cruel.
Action for Primates, together with other animal groups, including Lady Freethinker and Stop Monkey Abuse Asia, have regularly sent reports and letters of concern to APSARA National Authority in Cambodia and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), calling for an end to the inhumane, unlawful exploitation and harassment of troops of wild macaques living at the UNESCO World Heritage Site by video operators and others.
Most recently, the groups identified and submitted a list to APSARA of YouTube channels and Facebook pages that belong to a team of video operators at Angkor Wat involved in the worse mistreatment of and interference with the monkeys at Angkor Wat. This included videos that show interference with infants and females; physical abuse and other mistreatment of monkeys; feeding and handling of monkeys, including encouraging tourists to do so; and abandoning monkeys kept as 'pets'. The latter monkeys, who are not part of the established troops, are at risk of serious injury and death. The people involved have created an "industry" of following and filming the macaques for the sole purpose of making a profit from "entertainment" at the monkeys' expense. The videos posted on social media platforms are often monetised and have requests for donations to feed or help the monkeys. The operators are only interested in creating 'drama' for filming rather than looking out for the welfare of the captive individuals.
In addition to the harassment of the monkeys and the deliberate interference and disruption to their social groups, there are serious concerns that the monkeys have been exploited as a tourist attraction with visitors encouraged to mix with and hand feed the animals. Although wild non-human primates are typically fearful of human beings, the artificial feeding of the macaques at Angkor Wat has habituated the macaques to people so that they are less fearful than normal and view them as a source of food. The harassment of the macaques by the video operators and their behaviour in encouraging tourists to feed and handle the monkeys serve to create even more potential for aggression so that the public will be at increased risk of attack and injury.
For the sake of the macaques and the safety of the public, Action for Primates, Lady Freethinker and Stop Monkey Abuse Asia have regularly urged APSARA to intervene to stop this inhumane and irresponsible behaviour. There continues to be an urgent need for a humane management plan to be put into place, part of which should include action taken against those people responsible for the mistreatment of monkeys, as well as the strict enforcement of a prohibition of people interacting with and feeding the monkeys. The monkeys are not the problem in this situation; rather, it is the public.
The macaques in question are intelligent, adaptable and social non-human primates with unique cultures and behaviours. They contribute to biodiversity and play an important ecological role in its native ecosystems. In the case of the long-tailed macaque, there has been a critical new development regarding its conservation status, reinforcing the importance of protecting the species. The conservation status has been elevated to Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species in 2022 (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12551/221666136).
ENDS
For further information:
E-mail: info@actionforprimates.org
E-mail: outreach@ladyfreethinker.org
About Action for Primates:
Action for Primates is a UK-based project that campaigns on behalf of non-human primates globally. Action for Primates raises awareness about the plight of and threats to non-human primates around the world and works to end their exploitation, whether in captivity or in the wild. Action for Primates Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
About Lady Freethinker:
Founded in 2013, LFT is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans and the planet. Through its undercover investigations, news reporting, and petitions, LFT brings to light suffering that may otherwise go ignored and works toward lasting, systemic change. LFT also provides direct aid to animal rescue. LFT Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
6 September 2024: Animal protection groups call for an investigation into the role of Telegram in facilitating monkey torture groups responsible for commissioning horrific violence and torture against baby macaques
French authorities, in connection with an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking and fraudulent transactions on the platform, arrested Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram. Animal protection groups Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates are also calling for an investigation into the role of Telegram as a hub for global animal torture rings.
In particular, the animal groups highlight the role of Telegram in facilitating the torture and killing of baby monkeys for online 'entertainment'. Monkey torture gangs that have established themselves on Telegram are responsible for developing extreme torture methods, collecting money from members and then commissioning people in Indonesia and other countries to carry them out. These people get 'pleasure' from watching helpless and vulnerable infant monkeys – some just a few days old – in terror and pain fighting for their lives. The extreme cruelty inflicted upon the baby monkeys include being doused in flammable liquid and set alight; having parts of their body cut off, including limbs, genitals, fingers and toes; having their bones broken with a hammer; having their heads squeezed in a clamp; being beaten viciously; and having their eyes drilled out with a power tool.
Action for Primates and Lady Freethinker have spent three years investigating the disturbing world of online animal torture. Some of the sadistic and perverted behaviour displayed by group members on Telegram is not only cruel, but are unlawful, and law enforcement agencies in the USA and the UK have taken action against several people. In the USA, individuals have been charged with creating and distributing "animal crush" videos, which is a federal crime punishable by up to seven years in prison under the Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act (PACT Act). Some members have already been convicted and imprisoned, including Kenneth Herrera, a Wisconsin pharmacist, sentenced to one year in prison for creating, selling and distributing an animal crushing video. Attorney Philip Colt Moss has, together with Nicholas Dryden and Giancarlo Morelli, been charged with conspiracy to create and distribute "animal crush" videos. All three are awaiting trial. Videos alleged to have been created as part of the conspiracy included depictions of monkeys having their genitals burned; having their genitals cut with scissors; being sodomised with a wooden skewer; and being sodomised with a spoon.
In the UK, two women – Holly LeGresley and Adriana Orme – who were also members of a global monkey torture group run by an individual who called himself 'TortureKing', have pleaded guilty to charges of publishing an obscene article by uploading images of monkey torture and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The women were part of a group on Telegram that shared ideas for custom-made torture videos. They are waiting to be sentenced. In April 2024, 'Torture King' himself – Michael McCartney of Virginia – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to create and distribute animal crushing videos.
Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates are urging authorities to investigate the role of Telegram in enabling these disturbing monkey torture groups. By allowing individuals and groups to operate for months, even years, on its platform, Telegram is enabling animal cruelty fetishists to connect and escalate their cruel and illegal activities to sickening levels.
Notes to Editor:
About Action for Primates:
Action for Primates is a UK-based project that campaigns on behalf of non-human primates globally. Action for Primates raises awareness about the plight of and threats to non-human primates around the world and works to end their exploitation, whether in captivity or in the wild. Action for Primates Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
About Lady Freethinker:
Founded in 2013, LFT is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans and the planet. Through its undercover investigations, news reporting, and petitions, LFT brings to light suffering that may otherwise go ignored and works toward lasting, systemic change. LFT also provides direct aid to animal rescue. LFT Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
For further information:
E-mail: info@actionforprimates.org
E-mail: outreach@ladyfreethinker.org
7 May 2024: British woman pleads guilty in monkey torture case
A British woman, Holly LeGresley, has pleaded guilty at Worcester Magistrates' Court to charges of consuming, causing and facilitating the torture of monkeys. She was part of a global monkey torture ring that paid for and ordered baby monkeys to be tortured and killed in Indonesia to create videos to be circulated online. She will be sentenced on 7th June.
LeGresley, who called herself 'The Immolator', even ran a poll for group members to vote on the method of torture they wanted to see inflicted upon a monkey for a video to be made, funded by the group. The choices included sealing a monkey inside a jar with red ants, applying a painful substance to the wounds created by a cheese grater or glueing together various parts of a monkey's body.
Action for Primates, a UK-based project that advocates globally on behalf of non-human primates, and Lady Freethinker, a US-based animal protection organisation, have spent three years investigating the sadistic world of animal torture videos. Our evidence and information have been given to various law enforcement agencies and spurred the BBC investigation and documentary about online monkey torture gangs – "The Monkey Haters" – which helped lead to the inclusion of animal cruelty in the UK Online Safety Act.
Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates commend UK law enforcement for taking on this disturbing subject and welcome the charges brought by West Mercia police force. Any individual involved in facilitating such heinous animal cruelty should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The charges are part of an international effort by law enforcement agencies to tackle those groups and individuals who facilitate the torture of baby monkeys. At least 20 people across the globe are being investigated, and several in the USA and Indonesia have already been convicted and imprisoned.
Members of these torture groups are primarily active on platforms such as Telegram and get 'pleasure' from watching helpless and vulnerable infant monkeys – some just a few days old – in terror and pain fighting for their lives. The extreme cruelty inflicted upon the baby monkeys included being set alight; having parts of their body cut off, including limbs, genitals, fingers and toes; their bones broken with a hammer; their heads squeezed in a clamp; beaten viciously; and having their eyes drilled out with a power tool.
Sarah Kite, spokesperson for Action for Primates, and who assisted the UK police with their investigation, stated: Such extreme cruelty and depravity must never be tolerated. Anyone involved in this type of behaviour must be held to account, and others need to know that such behaviour will never be tolerated.
Nina Jackel, Founder, Lady Freethinker, stated: The horrors being inflicted on innocent, baby monkeys for online videos are sickening, and strong actions must be taken to protect animals from such brutality at the hands of humans. Those involved in the creation or distribution of animal torture content for 'enjoyment' pose a threat to both animals and humans, and they must be held accountable.
Shockingly, there are also monkey torture groups on the world's top social media platforms, and many of these graphic videos – depicting mutilation, burning, beating and more – have also been posted on Facebook, making them easily available for others, including children, to access and view. By allowing these people to operate and post monkey torture content, social media platforms have enabled and continue to enable animal cruelty fetishists to connect and escalate their cruel activities to extreme and grotesque levels. Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates are calling on social media and video sharing platforms to take immediate action to stop the proliferation of animal torture content that is being posted online.
A second woman – Adriana Orme – chose not to enter a plea at this stage and will appear in court again on 5th June.
Notes to Editor:
About Action for Primates:
Action for Primates is a UK-based project that campaigns on behalf of non-human primates globally. Action for Primates raises awareness about the plight of and threats to non-human primates around the world and works to end their exploitation, whether in captivity or in the wild. Action for Primates Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
About Lady Freethinker:
Founded in 2013, LFT is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of animals, humans and the planet. Through its undercover investigations, news reporting, and petitions, LFT brings to light suffering that may otherwise go ignored and works toward lasting, systemic change. LFT also provides direct aid to animal rescue. LFT Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
For further information:
E-mail: info@actionforprimates.org
Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
10 April 2024: Call to end cruel imports of monkeys from Indonesia by US research and testing industry
Los Angeles, CA and London, UK: Animal advocacy groups Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates are calling on the U.S. to stop importing long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) from Indonesia. The call follows the revelation that, in 2023, over 1,400 long-tailed macaques, who were captured from the wild in Indonesia, were imported by the USA research and toxicity (poisoning) testing industry. This was despite widespread global concerns about the inherent inhumanity of trapping wild monkeys and increasing awareness of the vulnerability of the conservation status of this species.
Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request submitted to the U.S. authorities, showed there were three shipments of long-tailed macaques in 2023: 322 individuals imported on 17th May; 540 on 31st May and 540 on 27th December (1). All the monkeys were reported as having been captured in the wild. This represented an increase of almost 40% since 2022, when 870 wild-caught macaques were imported by Primate Products in Florida, and 120 captive born macaques were imported by Charles River Laboratories.
Action for Primates has previously released harrowing video footage and images of the capture of wild long-tailed macaques in Indonesia, which provide compelling evidence of the cruelty of the trappers and the suffering and distress caused to the monkeys (2). This included brutal capture methods, the forced separation of nursing infants from their mothers and the beating and killing of unwanted individuals. Such inhumane treatment is a clear breach of international animal welfare guidelines (3).
Long-tailed macaques are CITES listed Appendix II, with their conservation status having been increased to Endangered with a decreasing population trend by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (4).
The U.S. is one of the world's major importers and users of non-human primates. Long-tailed macaques are the primary non-human primate species used in regulatory toxicity tests, which is the area in which most non-human primates are used. Toxicity (or poisoning) testing is carried out to assess adverse reactions to drugs (or chemicals), and often involves substantial suffering and death.
Nina Jackel, Founder of Lady Freethinker, stated: The spike in macaques being shipped from Indonesia to the U.S. for research and testing purposes is shocking and alarming. The evidence clearly shows that these animals are suffering immensely, and it's time for the government to take meaningful action to stop the cruelty.
Sarah Kite, co-founder, Action for Primates, stated: Capturing monkeys from the wild inflicts substantial suffering. The handling and treatment of the monkeys seen in the Action for Primates video is brutal and inherently inhumane. It is also a clear breach of international animal welfare guidelines. Action for Primates is urging the USA government to dissociate itself from this extreme cruelty by banning all imports of monkeys from Indonesia.
A petition launched by Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates urging the United States government to immediately end the import of monkeys from Indonesia is available for people to sign: https://ladyfreethinker.org/sign-justice-for-indonesian-monkeys-trapped-and-brutalized/
Long-tailed macaques are indigenous to Indonesia, part of the rich and diverse ecosystem, contributing to the country's unique biodiversity. The species, however, is not protected under Indonesian law and, in addition to the capture and export for the global research and testing industry, its wild populations face many other threats, including hunting for human consumption; capture as 'pets' or to be used in tourism and 'entertainment' activities, including the disturbing rise in baby macaque abuse videos filmed for broadcast on social media; and killing due to negative interactions with people.
ENDS
About Action for Primates:
Action for Primates is a UK-based advocacy project that campaigns on behalf of non-human primates globally. Action for Primates raises awareness about the plight of and threats to non-human primates around the world and works to end their exploitation, whether in captivity or in the wild. Action for Primates Website: https://actionforprimates.org/
About Lady Freethinker:
Founded in 2013, LFT is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to exposing and stopping the suffering of non-human animals, humans and the planet. Through its undercover investigations, news reporting and petitions, LFT brings to light suffering that may otherwise go ignored and works toward lasting, systemic change. LFT also provides direct aid to animal rescue. LFT Website: https://ladyfreethinker.org/
References:
27 February 2024: Mauritius reports major increase in monkey exports during 2023
In 2023, Mauritius reported exporting 15,907 long-tailed macaques, including to the USA (11,014), Spain (1,879), the UK (1,753), France (440) and Israel (11). This represents a substantial increase over 2022, when 11,897 long-tailed macaques were exported (1). The monkeys were destined for the research and toxicity (poisoning) testing industry.
Mauritius has now also taken the place of Cambodia (2) and become the greatest exporter of monkeys to the USA, including almost 2,500 of whom had been captured in the wild. This follows restrictions placed on the trade from Cambodia to the USA in 2023, following the US Fish and Wildlife Service investigation into the global trafficking of long-tailed macaques.
Sarah Kite, co-founder Action for Primates, stated: The growth in the trade of monkeys from Mauritius, and the resumption of the large-scale commercial trapping of wild long-tailed macaques is alarming. The lack of humanity shown towards the monkeys, and the relentless persecution and exploitation they endure is highly disturbing, and is at odds with the growing concern about the use of non-human primates in laboratories and a greater awareness of the genetic proximity of non-human primates to human beings together with their capacity to experience pain, suffering and distress similarly to people.
The capture of wild monkeys is an inhumane practice, universally recognised as cruel because of the forced removal of the monkeys from their habitat and families. Several official bodies and organisations, including the European Union (3) and the International Primatological Society (4), recognise the suffering involved in this practice and, since 2013, the EU has prohibited the use of wild-caught primates in experiments.
Long-tailed macaques are the primary non-human primate used in toxicity testing, which is the deliberate poisoning of animals to see whether and how much of a chemical or drug it takes to cause them serious harm or death. They are forcibly restrained and a test substance given by injection, infusion, stomach tube or aerosol – in increasing amounts to measure the poisoning effects. All individuals alive at the end of each test are killed.
References:
15 February 2024: Animal Protection groups urge Mauritius Government to refuse permit for massive monkey farm
Animal Protection groups in the USA, Europe and Mauritius are appealing to the government of Mauritius to refuse an application for the construction of a massive monkey farm. The proposal from Hammerhead International Ltd is to capture 40-50 wild long-tailed macaques every day, for over 300 days in the year (up to 15,000 monkeys), and to build a facility that will eventually hold up to 12,000 macaques (1). The company claims that it will initially export around 4,000 wild-caught monkeys per year to testing laboratories worldwide.
The organisations include Action for Primates, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, One Voice, Abolición Vivisección, Cheshire Animal Rights Campaigns and Monkey Massacre in Mauritius.
Objections to the Hammerhead International Ltd application will be submitted by the groups, and a petition to The Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, Prime Minister of Mauritius; The Hon Kavydass Ramano, Minister of Environment; and The Hon Mahen Kumar Seeruttun, Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security has been launched: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/811/636/984/
Mauritius is already one of the world's greatest exporters of monkeys for the global research and toxicity (poisoning) testing industry, primarily to the USA, the EU and the UK, and the world's greatest exporter of wild-caught monkeys. If granted, this proposal would inflict even further suffering upon long-tailed macaques. The capture of wild monkeys is an inhumane practice, universally recognised as cruel because of the forced removal of the monkeys from their habitat and families. Several official bodies and organisations, including the European Union (2) and the International Primatological Society (3), recognise the suffering involved in this practice and, since 2013, the EU has prohibited the use of wild-caught primates in experiments. Therefore, any proposal to export wild-caught macaques to European laboratories would be of great concern, and at odds with current legislation.
Hammerhead International Ltd made headline news when it was discovered to be operating an illegal farm in 2023. Four hundred and forty-six long-tailed macaques – found to be kept in deplorable conditions – were seized by the authorities. A case has subsequently been brought by the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security for the ill-treatment of animals and for the illegal possession of macaques (4).
Sarah Kite, spokesperson for Action for Primates, stated: A proposal of any size, but especially one so large, and one that involves the widespread capture of many thousands of wild monkeys is alarming and, if granted, would increase the misery long-tailed macaques in Mauritius experience as a result of extreme persecution. Equally alarming is that Hammerhead International Ltd, the company behind the proposal, stands accused of the ill-treatment and illegal possession of macaques. We urge the Mauritius Government to refuse this application.
Over the past 18 months, tuberculosis (TB) has been ravaging the monkey facilities in Mauritius, and animals have been exported while infected with TB,
says primate scientist and PETA Senior Science Advisor, Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel. Combining a TB outbreak with a company that has already shown that they have no regard for animal or public safety is a recipe for disaster.
NOTES: Further information and photographs of long-tailed macaques in Mauritius available on request: info@actionforprimates.org
References:
14 February 2024: Animal Protection Groups Welcome Arrest of Indonesian Suspect for Torturing and Killing Baby Monkeys and Selling the Videos Online
Animal advocacy groups Action for Primates (UK) and Lady Freethinker (US) welcome action taken by West Kalimantan Police in Indonesia in the arrest of an individual suspected of torturing and killing baby monkeys on camera and selling the videos to buyers in the U.S. and abroad for $50-$100 USD per video.
Police reportedly found a dead, mutilated monkey wrapped in plastic outside the suspect's home; torture apparatus inside the home, including a gas stove, soldering iron, hammer and slingshot; and 58 videos depicting sadistic torture of baby, long-tailed macaques on his mobile device. The suspect's name has not yet been released publicly.
Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates, together with other animal groups such as Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN), have been investigating the disturbing world of online monkey torture rings for over two years to end the horrifying violence inflicted upon baby monkeys for online circulation.
Their work began with an investigation in 2021 that uncovered the disturbing escalation of private online groups on platforms like Telegram, in which people in Indonesia created custom monkey torture videos for an audience of monkey "haters" in the US, UK, and elsewhere. Members of the group paid for and dictated what method of torture they wanted inflicted on the monkeys.
These underground rings were the topic of the recent BBC documentary "The Monkey Haters", for which Lady Freethinker, Action for Primates and JAAN provided information and intelligence.
In the last 18 months, two other individuals in Indonesia have been convicted and imprisoned for their part in torturing and killing baby monkeys; one individual in the US has been jailed with two others charged for their roles in online monkey torture gangs, and there have been several arrests in the UK.
Shockingly, many of these graphic videos – depicting mutilation, burning, beating, and more – have also been posted on Facebook and YouTube, making them easily available for others, including children, to access and view. Lady Freethinker and Action for Primates are calling on social media and video sharing platforms to take immediate action to stop the proliferation of animal torture content that is being posted online.
Sarah Kite, co-founder of Action for Primates, stated: We welcome the action taken by the Indonesian Police. Filming the torture and killing of baby monkeys for 'entertainment' is abhorrent and must never be tolerated. We hope this will deter other people from becoming involved in these perverted and sadistic activities.
Nina Jackel, Founder of Lady Freethinker, stated: I'm thankful to West Kalimantan Police for arresting the person thought to be responsible for horrific violence against dozens of innocent monkeys for profit. Such crimes must be taken seriously, especially as evidence shows time and time again the link between animal cruelty and violence against humans.
For further information: E-mail: info@actionforprimates.org or info@ladyfreethinker.org
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