Washington, D.C. — Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, applauds U.S. Representatives Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for introducing H.R. 2920, the Captive Primate Safety Act, and urges the bill’s swift passage. The bill seeks to prohibit interstate commerce of monkeys, apes, and other primates for the exotic pet trade.[teaserbreak]
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 who cannot be domesticated or tamed. They belong in the wild, not in people’s bedrooms or backyards.”
About half of the states already prohibit private possession of some or all primate species, but primates are easily obtained via the internet and through out-of-state dealers and auctions, making a federal law necessary to support the efforts of state law enforcement and to promote global conservation efforts. 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. It is dangerous to keep a wild animal in a private home, as demonstrated by the many tragic attacks that have injured owners, children, and community members. These terrible incidents 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 Animal Incidents Database (www.bornfreeusa.org/database) tracks primate incidents as well as other wildlife (lions, tigers, and reptiles). In 2015, three incidents have already been reported, including a macaque in Texas who 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. “This legislation will protect our families and ensure the humane treatment of these animals. We will continue to gather support for this bill and educate as many members as we can until it passes and this unacceptable practice is ended.”
Infant monkeys used for the pet trade are typically removed from their mothers, as babies are in high demand. However, people quickly discover that primates are extremely active, messy, and destructive, and that they bite. Ultimately, weary of attacks on people and damage to the home, pet monkeys are often relegated to a life of isolation, loneliness, frustration, and neglect. When people do decide to relinquish them, there are few places to turn.
The 186-acre Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary in Dilley, Texas is home to more than 600 primates, some of whom are former “pets.” Roberts explains, “The conditions we have found many of these animals in is truly unimaginable and sickening—small cages in dark basements, covered in their own feces. We are happy to be able to provide some of these victims with a large open place to live out their lives in freedom, with proper food and care, social interaction with other primates, or access to grass and trees for the first time in their lives.”
“I applaud Reps. Fitzpatrick and Blumenauer for introducing this critical legislation, and passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act cannot happen soon enough. These animals are suffering every day and humans are in serious danger,” Roberts emphasized.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com