Cambodia monkey trade continues

Fri 28 November 2008

UK — Asia,Primates

The illegal trade of rare and endangered monkey species is still rife in Cambodia, according to the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV).

The Phnom Penh Post revealed that Cambodia monkeys are being hunted then put in plastic mesh bags and transported to industrial sized monkey farms, which are then rumoured to supply the world's animal testing industry.

Footage taken by the BUAV shows individuals taking monkeys from nationally protected nature reserves, including long-tailed macaques, which are listed on the Convention of the International Trade in Endangered Species.

Michelle Thew, BUAV chief executive, believes that people will be shocked by the findings.

She told the Phnom Penh Post: "There is growing international concern over the plight of primates; we urge the Cambodian government to protect its indigenous [species]."

Apart from humans, the macaque is the world's most widespread primate and includes 22 species ranging from Africa to Japan.

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