To the editor: The current case of a younger spider monkey rescued throughout a drug bust in Vallejo highlights the pressing have to ban the merciless and harmful pet primate commerce on this nation (“Child spider monkey rescued from suspected meth vendor’s residence. Now, a brand new life awaits,” Could 17). Though we have no idea the background of this explicit monkey, there was an alarming enhance in experiences of toddler spider monkeys smuggled throughout our southern border in current months, pushed by Individuals’ insatiable demand for pet monkeys.
Poachers slaughter mom spider monkeys within the wild after which steal their infants, shoving them into bins, baggage and automobile trunks for a brutal journey to the U.S.-Mexico border. Upon arrival, these criminals try and smuggle the animals into the USA to provide the authorized and profitable unique pet commerce. Any such wildlife trafficking usually happens inside legal networks which might be additionally accountable for drug, weapons and human trafficking, threatening our nationwide safety.
The just lately launched federal Captive Primate Security Act, co-led by Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Westlake Village) with 5 different California co-sponsors, would prohibit non-public possession of nonhuman primates to guard each these animals and the general public. We should cross this laws now to maintain these monkeys within the wild — the place they belong.
Kate Dylewsky, Washington, D.C.
This author is the assistant authorities affairs director for the Animal Welfare Institute.
