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15,000 Monkeys: Outrage Over Proposed Farm in Mauritius
Animal welfare groups are urging the Mauritian government to reject an application by Hammerhead International Ltd to build a large monkey farm. The company plans to capture up to 15,000 wild long-tailed macaques annually and export around 4,000 to testing labs worldwide.
Many organisations, including PETA and Action for Primates, oppose the proposed farm and have launched a petition to government officials in Mauritius. Mauritius is already a major exporter of monkeys for research, with this proposal potentially causing more suffering to the animals.
Objections to the Hammerhead International Ltd application will be submitted by the groups, and a petition to Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister; Kavydass Ramano, Minister of Environment; and Mahen Seeruttun, Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security has been launched: https://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/811/636/984/
The EU and the International Primatological Society have condemned the practice of capturing wild monkeys as inhumane. Hammerhead International Ltd has been involved in illegal activities in the past, leading to seizures of mistreated macaques.
Opposition groups are concerned about the company’s history of cruelty and negligence towards animals. Dr. Lisa Jones-Engel warns of a tuberculosis outbreak in the monkey facilities, given the company’s lack of regard for safety.
The EU has banned the use of wild-caught primates in experiments since 2013.
Action for Primates’ spokesperson, Sarah Kite, voices concern over the potential approval of the monkey farm. The petition launched by animal welfare advocates aims to sway government officials against granting the permit.
The export of wild monkeys to European laboratories would violate existing legislation and ethical principles.
References:
1. Mauritius Business Licensing Platform https://business.edbmauritius.org/wps/portal/business
2. European Union 2010-09-22 Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2010 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes European Union accessed: https://eurlex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2010/63/oj
3. International Primatological Society 2021-01-01 Trade in Primates Captured in the Wild International Primatological Society: http://www.internationalprimatologicalsociety.org/policy-statements-and-guidelines/trade-in-primates-captured-in-the-wild/
4. Seventh National Assembly, Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) No. 29 of 2023. Page 69, Tuesday 14 November 2023
15,000 Monkeys: Outrage Over Proposed Farm in Mauritius
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The information and opinions expressed in our published works are those of authors/sources believed to be reliable. NewsMoris makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information expressed.
