Animals in Captivity

Public Danger, Private Pain: The Case against the U.S. Primate Pet Trade (2021)

Public Danger, Private Pain: The Case Against the U.S. Primate Pet Trade examines private ownership of primates in the United States from several perspectives and includes expert contributions from legislative, public health and safety, sanctuary management, international trade, social media influence, and animal welfare fields. These powerful voices come together in support of the Captive Primate Safety Act (reintroduced to Congress in March 2021), a groundbreaking law that would effectively ban private ownership of primates and restrict public interactions nation-wide if successfully implemented.

Coupled with our research outlining the gross inconsistencies in legislation between states, numbers of public safety incidents caused by privately-owned primates, and implications for individual welfare, Public Danger, Private Pain showcases these expert opinions using a multi-faceted approach. The report features interview excerpts from retired law enforcement officer and Animal Outreach Organization Director, Tim Harrison; previous primate pet-owner Erica Buhr; Colombian indigenous leader and Director of Fundación Maikuchiga sanctuary, Jhon Vazquez; and Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary Manager, Katie Conway, for a holistic overview of this cruel and dangerous practice.