Monkey World welcomes pet primate legislation

A long-time campaigner for tighter regulation on primate ownership has said she welcomes the introduction of "stronger and more robust legislation".

Dr Alison Cronin MBE, director of Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre in Bovington, near Wareham, Dorset, said "well-meaning people" had been sold the animals "in an inappropriate way".

The government states it will be illegal to keep monkeys, chimpanzees, lemurs and other primates in England without a licence after 6 April.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council declined to comment, while Dorset Council said it was "committed" to ensure all primate keepers in its district adhered to the new primate legislation and guidance.

Government figures estimate there are between 3,000 and 5,000 primates being kept in homes in the UK.

With 10 weeks before the new legislation coming in force, international wildlife charity Born Free said its investigation through 294 Freedom of Information requests to local authorities had revealed only three applications for licences had been made across the whole of England.

"Those licence applications cover just 11 animals in total, and to date, only one licence has been granted, with the other two pending. Just one authority confirmed it was liaising with a current primate owner," the charity added in a website post.

Cronin said recently Monkey World had been called out to rescue a young marmoset "that was being kept in a bird cage in a flat in north London".

"It had already been passed from one owner to another owner, it had been sold from a breeder and dealer for £5,000," Cronin added.

She said the primates had gained great popularity as pets because of "influencers trying to become famous" on social media.

Cronin added people who thought they were specialist keepers would now be able to apply for a licence if they could "care for these animals appropriately with companionship of their own kind, indoor-outdoor enclosures, appropriate diet, veterinary care".

"But most people aren't able to do that, so [the legislation] will protect those animals that are out there right now that breeders and dealers are selling mostly to well-meaning people, albeit ignorant about the needs of the animal," she said.

Cronin explained "some of Britain's best zoos and wildlife parks, from Twycross to Marwell, were started out by private animal collectors".

"Up until now, we've had to go and prove a legal case that a monkey shouldn't be kept in a bird cage in the sitting room. There's now legislation stating that is not allowed.

"It's very specific and there are people out there that actually are wealthy enough and specialists enough that can keep these animals in a better way than many zoos and wildlife parks."

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: "It is hoped, by the introduction of this legislation, where historically there was none, will mean that animal licensing inspectors and vets can ensure that these primates are cared for by suitable keepers."

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