Monkeys being kept as pets
Concerns raised by RSPCA
A charity has raised concerns about primates being kept as pets after North Yorkshire was named as being a “hotspot” for RSPCA calls on the issue.
Calls about pet monkeys have increased threefold over five years and an estimated 5,000 primates are being kept as pets up and down the UK.
Scarborough Council says it has granted one licence in the borough for the upkeep of a capuchin monkey. The licence is for personal collection and not for public display.
It has granted one other Dangerous Wild Animal Licence to a collector who has an American alligator, Siamese crocodile and a spectacled caiman.
However, even though there is no evidence to suggest that local keepers have not been looking after their animals, the RSPCA says that on a national level, new data suggests that many are suffering and not having vital social, dietary and environmental needs met. Marmosets, capuchins and squirrel monkeys are just some of the primates being kept as pets and rescue groups such as the RSPCA and Wild Futures receive approximately one call every three days relating to the welfare of a monkey.
RSPCA senior scientific officer Dr Ros Clubb said: “The level of calls we are getting to the RSPCA just shows the number of primates that are out there are increasing - and at an alarming level. The spread of calls across the country is real cause for concern too. Sadly our inspectors have seen situations where monkeys have been cooped up in bird cages, fed fast food and sugary drinks.”