Washington, D.C. – Born Free USA, a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation, applauds Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) for reintroducing the Captive Primate Safety Act. This critical legislation would prohibit interstate commerce and foreign sale of primates for the exotic pet trade.
According to Angela Grimes, Acting CEO of Born Free USA, “The trade in primates as ‘pets’ is inherently cruel and dangerous for both the animals and humans. Primates are wild animals who are wholly unable to be domesticated or tamed, and as such will always be a risk to their owners and the general public – as we have seen through numerous tragic, needless incidents. Apes, monkeys, and other primates have needs and instincts that are impossible to meet in captivity, yet as ‘pets’ they are forced to eke out a cruel half-existence in basements, bedrooms, or backyards. While many states have taken action on this issue, it is clear that a federal solution is needed to protect both primates and the public.”
About half of the states already prohibit private possession of some or all primate species, but primates are easily obtained through out-of-state dealers and auctions and via the internet, making a federal law necessary to support state enforcement efforts. According to Born Free USA’s 2016 report, Downloading Cruelty: An Investigation into the Online Sales of Exotic Pets in the U.S., the online exotic pet trade takes place throughout the United States, crisscrossing state lines. Additionally, primates account for the largest category of animals sold: 603 primates for sale across four websites in a three-month period.
“Primates have no place as domestic pets. It’s dangerous to humans, inhumane to animals, and a potential threat to public health.” said Congressman Blumenauer. “I’m happy to work with Congressman Fitzpatrick and the Animal Protection Caucus to gather support for this bill and bring awareness to this issue, so the senseless practice of keeping primates as pets comes to an end.”
Conservative estimates suggest there are approximately 15,000 primates in U.S. homes, kept as “pets.” Since 1990, approximately 300 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.
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 – including their tendency to bite. Ultimately, weary of attacks on people and damage to the home, owners often relegate their captive monkeys 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 535 primates, some of whom are former “pets.” Grimes 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.”
Born Free USA applauds Reps. Blumenauer and Fitzpatrick for reintroducing this important, humane legislation, and strongly urge Congress to swiftly take up and pass the Captive Primate Safety Act.
