Primates As Pets: Is There a Case for Regulation
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PRIMATES AS PETS: Is there a case for regulation? Last updated: July 2012 Contents 1. Executive summary ............................................................................................3 2. Introduction .........................................................................................................4 3. The distinctive status of non-human primates ................................................5 4. Protection currently afforded pet primates in the UK......................................8 4.1 Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2006................................................................................. 8 4.2 Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) 1976 ............................................................... 8 4.3 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) ......................... 8 5. Number and species of pet primates in the UK .............................................10 5.1 Number of animals .................................................................................................... 10 5.2 Commonly kept species ............................................................................................ 11 6. Source of pet primates and avenues of sale ..................................................12 6.1 Importation ................................................................................................................ 12 6.2 Breeders/dealers....................................................................................................... 12 6.3 Pet shops .................................................................................................................. 12 6.4 Zoos .......................................................................................................................... 12 6.5 Adverts in periodicals ................................................................................................ 13 6.6 Adverts on the internet.............................................................................................. 13 6.7 Other sources............................................................................................................ 13 6.8 Conclusions............................................................................................................... 14 7. Primate-related incidents dealt with by the RSPCA.......................................15 7.1 Number of incidents involving pet primates .............................................................. 15 7.2 Number of seizures, prosecutions and rehomed pet primates ................................. 15 7.3 Numbers taken in context ......................................................................................... 16 8. Inappropriate care likely to lead to welfare problems ...................................17 8.1 Solitary housing......................................................................................................... 17 8.2 Early separation from mothers.................................................................................. 17 8.3 Inappropriate cage size and type.............................................................................. 17 8.4 Other issues .............................................................................................................. 18 9. Welfare problems reported in pet primates....................................................19 9.1 Survey of veterinarians ............................................................................................. 19 9.2 Problems seen in ex-pets arriving at the Monkey Sanctuary.................................... 19 9.3 Case studies.............................................................................................................. 20 10. Concern from the public...................................................................................21 10.1 Calls received by the RSPCA .................................................................................. 21 10.2 Support for petitions against the keeping and trade of pet primates ....................... 21 11. Concern from primate professionals ..............................................................22 11.1 Sign-on for a restriction on primate keeping ............................................................ 22 11.2 Organisations with policies against pet primate keeping and trade......................... 23 12. Legislation on pet primates in other countries ..............................................24 13. Regulatory options ...........................................................................................25 13.1 Options available...................................................................................................... 25 14. Conclusions.......................................................................................................28 15. Appendix............................................................................................................29 15.1 Sign-on statement .................................................................................................... 29 2 1. Executive summary • This information resource is intended for parliamentarians, civil servants and non-governmental organisations concerned by the keeping of primates as pets and who are anxious to deliver a workable system for the protection of primates under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2006. (Section 2). • Extensive scientific study has revealed primates to be highly intelligent, socially complex and in some cases self-aware animals. It is highly likely primates have an awareness of pain, suffering and distress, and at least in some species, an ability to think and reflect on these, similar in nature to humans. (Section 3). • Under current legislation, primates, along with other vertebrates, are protected by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) 2006. Some species (but notably not those most commonly kept) require a licence to be kept as pets under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) 1976. International trade is controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). (Section 4). • We estimate that 2,485-7,454 primates are kept as pets in the England, Wales and Scotland, but others suggest it might be as high as 15,000-20,000. Lemurs are the most commonly kept species requiring a DWAA licence, followed by capuchins and macaques. Almost half of pet primate incidents recorded by the RSPCA concerned marmosets, which carry no licensing requirement under the DWAA, suggesting these are the most commonly kept species; a finding supported by primate dealers. (Section 5). • Trade appears to normally occur in private, making monitoring difficult. Breeders and private dealers are believed to be the main source of pet primates. (Section 6). • The RSPCA dealt with 315 confirmed pet primate incidents, involving 645 animals between 2001 and 2010. Welfare issues were identified in 90% of incidents, and proceedings were started in six cases leading to two successful prosecutions (plus one pending). These numbers might not appear significant, but relative to the number of primates kept, incidents reported to the RSPCA are four to twelve times more frequent for primates than for other, more common, companion animal species. (Section 7). • Solitary housing, early separation from the mother and inappropriate housing are just some of the husbandry practices likely to cause welfare problems in pet primates. For example, over 60% of pet primate incidents recorded by the RSPCA involved an animal kept on its own. (Section 8). • Every animal in the Monkey Sanctuary arrived suffering from behaviour problems like repetitive stereotypic behaviours and self-biting. Health problems are common and include dental problems, a range of skeletal malformations and obesity. Studies have shown nutrition-related bone disease is common, as are other general nutrition disorders. (Section 9). • The story of two capuchins, Joey and Missey, perhaps best illustrate some of the welfare problems experienced by pet primates as a result of inadequate care. Both suffered from a host of behavioural and physical problems when they arrived at the Monkey Sanctuary. Joey will be permanently disabled as a result and Missey has died. (Section 9.3). • Calls to the RSPCA from members of the public about pet primates largely concerned legality and licensing issues (85%). Over a quarter of callers (27%) expressed concern about the welfare of pet primates and a further quarter (26%) requested advice on how to obtain or care for pet primates. (Section 10). • Public support for a restriction on the keeping and trade in pet primates is strong. Petitions have gathered tens of thousands of signatures in the UK. (Section 10). • Over 360 highly regarded primatologists, conservationists, zoo professionals, primate rescue organisations and other respected professionals support our call for a restriction on primate keeping to genuine specialists. The Primate Society of Great Britain (PSGB), the International Primatological Society (IPS) and the Jane Goodall Institute-UK have also given their support. (Section 11). • Other professional organisations, including zoos, have already formulated policies against private pet keeping. (Section 11.2). • A number of legislatures around the world have banned, restricted or regulated the private keeping of pet primates, including Denmark, Bulgaria, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, the US, Australia, Israel, Mexico and Honduras. (Section 12). • A range