Primates are kept in appropriate social groupings with other monkeys of their own kind and provided with a variety of enrichments to keep them active, busy, and challenged," says Leahy. Monkeys can thrive in a variety of environments and climates, including rainforest, savannah and mountainous terrains. Some primates spend their time hanging out in treetops and others on the ground. But one situation that they cannot do well in — under most circumstances — is captivity, whether that be in a zoo or when they are kept as pets.
Based on these factors alone, it quickly becomes evident that captivity — no matter how extensive or well-constructed — cannot begin to meet the myriad needs of any primate species," says Dr. According to Leahy, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums recommends that chimpanzees be kept in a habitat of no less than 2, square feet square meters of indoor and outdoor space and vertical heights of more than 20 feet 6 meters ; similar guidelines would likely apply for monkeys as well.
You'd also need adequate shade, water and climbing structures for primates of any kind. Many homeowners considering pet monkeys would definitely be unable to provide these basic habitat requirements, particularly for individuals living in cramped or urban dwellings.
In addition to limited confines, Leahy notes other household horrors that could gravely injure a monkey. These include ingestion of cleaning products and household plants; strangulation due to leashes or cords used on window blinds; burning due to contact with stoves, irons, light bulbs and candles; and falling from windows. According to her, HSUS has compiled data that shows more than people have been injured since in "dangerous incidents" related to primates kept as pets or in private captivity.
Leahy further explains that escaped pet primates are often shot by authorities. And if the monkey does attack a human, the pet is likely to captured, tested for disease and killed. Even in less catastrophic situations, monkeys are still highly disruptive, which could lead to some not-so-friendly encounters with your neighbors. For example, howler monkeys are so loud they can be heard miles away, gibbons emit a variety of noisy and lengthy "hoo"-type calls, and others may vocalize with grunts, squeaks, whistles, and screams," says Leahy.
And certain urban noise pollution, including fireworks and sirens, can also cause stress in the primates themselves. Everything from lifestyle to the general impact of being separated from their mothers — all of these factors can have a devastating impact on a pet monkey's physical and mental well-being. These abnormalities are also referred to as "stereotypies" which Tyson describes as "purposeless, repetitive behaviors such as rocking, pacing and self-harming.
And these mental stressors linger on, even if the monkey has been relocated to a zoo or sanctuary and is no longer being treated as a pet. Fights and injuries can sadly occur between the former pet and members of its own species.
Zoos don't take former pets. Some unwanted primates end up in sanctuaries to live out their remaining days. Sadly, most end up being sold and resold over and over again. Others are sent to laboratories or used in breeding programs. As pets grow older, stronger and more unpredictable, some owners may attempt to change the animal's natural behavior. Sanctuary owners say those tactics include confinement in small enclosures, chaining, shocking, beating, and removal of teeth and nails to prevent scratching and biting.
An interview request was declined by Charles Stonecipher, vice president of the Simian Society of America, an organization primarily composed of private owners. Another interview request sent to President Walt Gresham was unanswered as of press time. On average, Truitt receives two phone calls a day from people who want to relinquish their animals. Primatology students also call requesting permission to visit the sanctuary, which has more than 50 primates, to study animal behavior.
Not how they eat; not how they relate to others. The influx of unwanted animals has become overwhelming for the dozens of sanctuaries in the United States. Five years ago, when Truitt couldn't house an animal at her sanctuary she'd call another one and easily place it. Today, she said that's not the case.
Most sanctuaries are full, or near capacity. The Florida sanctuary receives e-mails and phone calls every day from people wanting to get rid of their monkeys. Former Las Vegas organ grinder Sony Rickson, who owns four capuchin monkeys ranging in age from 7 to 12, created the Monkey Moms Web site to educate potential owners, and gets e-mails a day seeking advice and guidance.
Aggression, though, is a problem. Rickson said she was attacked just a few days ago by one of her capuchins. I have another one that I raised from a baby who wouldn't even think of biting me. When asked about the use of shock collars, Rickson said she did not know of anyone with a small monkey that uses them. Removing all of the animal's teeth, though, is a common practice, she said, especially amongst organ grinders. These are the types of animals that should be left in the jungle.
The problem is that dogs and cats are domesticated animals but primates are not. Primates are a diverse group of over species that live across five continents but are most commonly found in the tropics, from Uruguay to Uganda and Venezuela to Vietnam. They are wild, and attempts to domesticate them result in a mentally disturbed animal that no amount of training, beating or adoring will ever reverse.
There are an estimated 5, primate pets currently in UK households and a growing illicit trade in wild-caught animals. In response to this growing problem, the Labour Party has recently announced it would make training or keeping primates in homes illegal. The evidence that keeping pet primates is unsafe for the animals and their owners is overwhelming.
Matching the living conditions of a wild primate is impossible in the UK. Primates need nutrition, light, temperature and humidity that are consistent with the tropics not British households.
Some primates, like the chimpanzee, are used to roaming across areas of up to square kilometres in the wild. Bieber did not have the proper paperwork or health documents to import the pet. Many of these animals are sold and bred illegally or under poor conditions.
Once they reach sexual maturity, they often become unpredictable and aggressive, and their owners are unable to handle them. And monkeys are extremely social.
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