Mississippi Mac, a male rhesus macaque rescued from a menagerie, enjoys his new toy. He was living in squalid conditions in a tiny cage less than 3 feet high by 6 feet long. He still displays the self-biting and pacing behavior he developed to deal with his stress but it is less frequent and he is now healthy and very engaged in the big world around him.
U.S. Representatives Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced H.R. 2920, the Captive Primate Safety Act. This bill seeks to prohibit interstate commerce of monkeys, apes and other primates for the exotic pet trade.
A federal law is necessary to support the efforts of state law enforcement since primates can still be bought via the internet and through out-of-state dealers and auctions. About half of the states already have banned private possession of some or all primate species.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “The trade in primates as ‘pets’ is inherently cruel and dangerous for both animals and humans. These are animals that cannot be domesticated or tamed. They belong in the wild, not in people’s bedrooms or backyards.”
Similar legislation has been passed in the House of Representatives previously.
Rep. Fitzpatrick said, “The captive primate trade involves horrific animal suffering and poses a serious threat to human safety…… these terrible incidents involving the public are preventable, and I have introduced this bill to try to ensure that they do not continue to occur.”
Since 1990, more than 250 people – including dozens of children – have been injured by primates, and many more incidents go unreported. Primates also pose disease risks, including transmission of Ebola, tuberculosis and herpes-B. The Born Free USA exotic incidents databasewww.bornfreeusa.org/database tracks primate incidents as well as other wildlife (lions, tigers, reptiles).
In 2015 three incidents have already been reported, including a macaque in Texas that bit a bank employee and was seized by law enforcement officers.
“Primates are wild animals, and they do not belong in our homes. Time and again we have seen that it is dangerous for humans and cruel to the animals. In the 21st century, there is no place for keeping primates as pets,” said Blumenauer.
Infant monkeys used for the pet trade are typically removed from their mothers, as babies are in high demand. Sadly people soon realize having a primate is extremely difficult due to their activity levels, destructive and dangerous behavior which can cause serious injuries. This leads to the isolation and frustration of pet monkeys.
The 186 acre Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Dilley Texas, is home to more than 600 primates where they can live the remaining of their lives in large, spacious areas. They are finally free to be the primates they were meant to be and not in a tiny cage in a dark basement.
“I applaud Reps. Fitzpatrick and Blumenauer for introducing this critical legislation, and passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act. These animals are suffering every day and humans are in serious danger,” Roberts emphasized.
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It’s sickening for people to have pet monkeys. They are unpredictable and not are human despite people treating them as such. Women dress them up in children’s clothes. How awful for the monkeys. Then when they hurt someone, they want others to take care of the problem.
Exactly right!
It’s appalling that anyone would think having a primate is safe and cute to have. Primates grow into adults like humans. The difference is that they are animals and have the capability to become extremely dangerous and unpredictable. Their behavior can become erratic and you can’t do anything to stop them. While they’re cute and women, mainly, treat them as if they’re babies (probably because they can’t have children or their children have left home), they should never be kept as pets. You can buy them so easily over the internet. I am so happy to hear this bill is back. It needs to get passed and it won’t be passed soon enough for me!