Exciting news is coming out of Washington, D.C., with the introduction of the Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA), a vital new bill aimed at ending the inhumane and dangerous pet primate trade in the United States.
Backed by a strong bipartisan coalition, Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Nancy Mace (R-SC), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), this legislation has the potential to transform the protection of nonhuman primates.
The Captive Primate Safety Act (CPSA) aims to ban the private ownership of primates such as chimpanzees, capuchins, and lemurs. These intelligent and social creatures are not meant for life in cages within private homes. The bill specifically targets private pet ownership while allowing exceptions for zoos, accredited sanctuaries, research facilities, and universities. Current pet owners, however, would be permitted to retain their primates, provided they register them.
“Monkeys and apes belong in the wild—not in living rooms. This bill will ban private possession of these animals, ensuring that we are safe and primates are able to live freely,” said Quigley, co-chair of the Congressional Animal Protection Caucus. “As the lead sponsor of the 2022 Big Cat Public Safety Act, I’m proud to sponsor the Captive Primate Safety Act to advance the same protections for primates.”
This legislation follows the major victory of the Big Cat Public Safety Act, which successfully cracked down on the private ownership of lions, tigers, and other big cats. That bill proved what’s possible when Congress comes together to protect both animals and the public.
Similar to big cats, primates endure significant suffering within the exotic pet trade. Many are snatched from their mothers just days after birth and sold online or through exotic animal auctions. While they may appear cute and manageable as infants, primates grow larger, stronger, and often more aggressive with age.
Tragically, primates kept as pets have been involved in alarming incidents, such as mauling neighbors, attacking their owners, and posing threats to police and emergency personnel. Over the years, hundreds of injuries have highlighted why these animals are not suited for life in private homes.
The danger goes beyond physical harm. Primates can carry and transmit diseases to humans, including Ebola, tuberculosis, and the Herpes B virus, posing a very real public health risk.
Beyond the borders of the U.S., the pet primate trade fuels the illegal wildlife trade. The demand for exotic pets leads to the capture and trafficking of wild primates, many of whom are endangered. These animals suffer tremendously during transport, and many do not survive the journey. It’s cruel, it’s unsafe, and it’s time to end it.
The Captive Primate Safety Act represents a promising advancement toward a more compassionate and secure environment for wild animals. This legislation offers Congress an opportunity to once again take decisive action, much like it did with big cats, to put an end to the exploitation of primates permanently.
