Wildlife

Endangered Primate Pet Trade

The illegal trade in great apes and other primates as pets drives poaching, population decline, and extreme individual suffering.

Key Facts

For every ape infant entering the pet trade, 10+ may die in capture and transport
Young primates are often seized after their mothers are killed
Social primates kept as pets suffer severe psychological damage
Great ape pet keeping is illegal in most countries but enforcement is weak

Welfare Considerations

The primate pet trade causes suffering at multiple levels: poaching-related deaths of adults, traumatic capture and transport of infants, and lifelong psychological harm to animals deprived of species-appropriate socialization. Social primates raised as human substitutes are profoundly damaged and difficult to rehabilitate. Sanctuary care for former pets requires lifetime commitment.

What You Can Do

Never support the primate pet trade in any form
Report suspected primate trafficking to relevant authorities
Support great ape sanctuaries providing lifetime care to former pets
Advocate for stronger enforcement of primate trade prohibitions