International Body Shamefully Delays Decision on Cambodia Monkey Trade
Update (February 4, 2025): As an international body fiddles, endangered monkeys die.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Standing Committee today chose to delay a decision on its Secretariat’s recommendation to suspend the corrupt trade of long-tailed macaques from Cambodia. Today’s disgraceful postponement is a step closer to extinction for these monkeys, and it proves that backroom deals and industry influence over U.S. and international officials hold sway over what should be an independent, science-driven process. Cambodia was caught red-handed falsifying export paperwork and laundering tens of thousands of wild-caught monkeys into the laboratory supply chain. There is no proof that anything has changed. By ignoring mountains of evidence from a five-year undercover investigation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and data analyses by PETA, this international body is choosing, at least temporarily, to safeguard profiteering corporations like Charles River Laboratories rather than the animals they are charged with protecting.
You can help by taking action below.
Originally published on January 15, 2025:
PROGRESS! PETA has helped deliver the latest blow to the cruel animal experimentation industry as an important international regulatory body has recommended a halt to the export of long-tailed macaques from Cambodia.
The move by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Secretariat should stop Charles River Laboratories’ recent end-run around a U.S. de facto ban on importing macaques from Cambodia and PETA applauds it.
Charles River, the world’s largest breeder of animals for use in experiments, has been importing Cambodian-origin monkeys into Canada and then shipping body parts from those monkeys into the U.S. from north of the border. Canada imported more than 6,500 Cambodian-origin long-tailed macaques between May 2023 and December 2024.
The move by CITES—a treaty signed by 185 countries that seeks to ensure the trade of wild animals and plants is legal, sustainable, and traceable—should stop this despicable attempt to get around the U.S. suspension .
The decision comes after compelling reports that PETA submitted to the organization and a five-year U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service investigation documenting widespread monkey smuggling and laundering in Cambodia.
Long-tailed macaques are being driven to the brink of extinction, in large part due to the international wildlife trade that feeds the insatiable appetite of laboratories like Charles River.
What You Can Do
Please TAKE ACTION and urge the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to compel the Fish & Wildlife Service to release to sanctuary the remaining 1,269 long-tailed macaques of Cambodian origin that are in legal limbo after being imported by Charles River.
Please also urge Canadian officials to abide by the CITES decision and stop allowing the importation of long-tailed macaques from Cambodia:
