MP calls for primate pet ban

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Sheryll Murray MP calls on the government to implement a ban on keeping primates as pets after seeing the condition of rescued animals.

The Bill that I am putting forward today aims to ban the keeping of primates as pets in the UK.

The RSPCA and Wild Futures estimate that around 2,500 to 7,500 primates are kept as pets in England, Wales and Scotland; although other sources suggest it might be as high as 15-20,000. Due to the unregulated nature of this industry, it is very difficult to come up with an exact figure.

Over 360 highly regarded primatologists, conservationists, zoo professionals, primate rescue organisations and other respected professionals call for the restriction of keeping primates to genuine specialists, and only for the purpose of sanctuary or conservation. These professionals call for a ban because of the way in which the primates are kept.

There are many examples of rescued primates having been malnourished and fed completely inappropriate diets, which often cause serious medical conditions such as brittle bones, rickets, muscular waste and many others. There have been recorded instances from the RSPCA that some primates have been fed substances such as tobacco, marijuana and junk food which are seriously inappropriate.

Furthermore, 61 per cent of monkeys are housed alone and this has a profound effect of them. Monkeys are naturally sociable creatures, and a lack of companionship can lead to behavioural problems such as self mutilation, rocking, teeth grinding and overeating. Also, cutting off the period where a primate is dependent on its mother is known to have lasting psychological and physiological effects.

The RSPCA have said that over a quarter of the cages were judged to be ridiculously small and monkeys were found housed in parrot cages in some instances. These cruel, cramped conditions are not conducive for monkeys who need large areas of horizontal and vertical space for growth and exercise. For example, Joey the Capuchin monkey was kept in a tiny wire cage for more than nine years, and inevitably, his neck fused to his spine leaving him permanently disabled.

Monkeys are also most of the time kept indoors, which leads to a lack of natural sunlight. Their vitamin D levels are very rarely met and brittle bone disease is classic amongst ex pets.

The Animal Welfare Act of 2006 has not been an effective tool in protecting primates kept as pets. Monkeys are being let down by the lack of primate expertise within Councils who are meant to assess the living conditions of these primates. Joey was only assessed for the first year, and then for the subsequent eight years, slipped through the net. The Act is not adequately protecting these animals, and the only way to do so is to ban primates as pets.

I have a very close relationship with the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe, in the heart of my constituency of South East Cornwall. I have seen firsthand the effects that a lack of socialisation, lack of sunlight and lack of space do to a monkey. Far too often these are the classic conditions that these ‘pets’ are kept in. It causes severe psychological and physiological conditions which are rarely entirely reversible. These monkeys will always have difficulties socialising and would be constantly vulnerable without the help of the Monkey Sanctuary in Looe and the many others across the country.

I would like to personally thank them for all that they do for these monkeys and I am asking the government and my parliamentary colleagues to join me in supporting a ban on the keeping of primates as pets in the UK.

Sheryll Murray has been Conservative MP for South East Cornwall since 2010.

Member Response: Jan Creamer, chief executive, Animal Defenders International

ADI is grateful to Ms Murray for giving this issue parliamentary time, and the publicity that it so rightfully deserves. Primates are totally unsuitable to be kept as pets – they are wild animals with complex social needs and are simply not suitable for human companionship.

Such animals need highly specialized care, and most prospective owners are unaware that the pet they are purchasing could live for up to 45 years. During this time, their owners could leave school, start a career, get married and have children. Very few people can offer that kind of commitment.