Findings from our field investigations raise concerns about illegal monkey trade
We are pleased to announce that Laos is facing suspension in its trade in long-tailed macaque monkeys for animal research.
Laos is a major player in the trade to supply monkeys to laboratories. This important breakthrough came at the 66th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).
In addition, the CITES Standing Committee has recognised there are serious issues surrounding an illegal trade in these monkeys in Cambodia and Vietnam. It is scheduled to agree action to address these concerns soon.
As a member of, and with the support of the Species Survival Network, we have been at the forefront of the effort calling on CITES to address the trade in long-tailed macaques from South-East Asia. The evidence from our many field investigations carried out over recent years were submitted to CITES.
Our findings have raised concerns about the widespread exploitation of long-tailed macaques in international trade. Our evidence points to an illegal trade in macaques amongst Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam export thousands of monkeys every year and are major players in the trade in monkeys for the international animal research industry.
Our pioneering investigations have exposed the inherent cruelties involved in the trade. We’ve highlighted the illegalities involved and the impact (both the legal and illegal) trade is having upon wild populations of monkeys.
And we have raised concerns about the lack of population data, the misuse of CITES source codes by exporting countries, and lack of validity for captive breeding claims.
We welcome the action taken by CITES and will continue to work towards a day when there is a wild future ahead for the monkeys of South East Asia, not a life of captivity in laboratories.