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:
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