Primates make unsuitable pets, says charity

The RSPCA has voiced concerns over the welfare issues involved with the growing UK trade in primates as pets.

The charity is calling for a ban on keeping the animals as pets, highlighting the lack of owner understanding and difficulties with meeting complex welfare needs of primates.

The appeal follows the recent court case taking place at Uxbridge Magistrates Court, where Chelsea resident Amire Khan was found guilty of failing to meet the needs of his three-year-old squirrel monkey.

The animal, named Charlie, was found in Mr Khan's office last year, where he was being kept in a small cage with no access to UV light or the outdoors.

"Squirrel monkeys may be seen as small and easy to keep but this is far from the truth – they are very hard to look after and totally unsuitable as pets," says Vicky England, RSPCA inspector.

“Khan was able to buy this monkey from a pet shop and clearly did not understand the complex needs and requirements of keeping a primate," she adds.

Dr Ros Clubb, senior wildlife scientist for the charity, commented: “We must stop this growing trade. It has become far too easy to pick up a monkey over the internet, especially since you don’t need a licence to keep many of them."

Charlie now resides at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, where he shares the company of a female squirrel monkey.

Image: Squirrel monkey Charlie, RSPCA