New report reveals sharp rise in online sale of primates on social media in US
Summary
A report found a big increase in selling live primates like monkeys on social media in the US. The animals are often sold under false claims like rescue or adoption, causing concerns for wildlife safety, public health, and animal welfare.Key Facts
- Over 1,600 primates were listed for sale on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube during a six-week study in mid-2025.
- Sellers often hid real sales as “rehoming” or “rescue” to avoid detection by the platforms.
- Twelve types of primates were sold, including macaques, marmosets, capuchins, and chimpanzees.
- Prices ranged from $250 to $6,500 depending on species and age.
- Many primates sold were babies taken from their mothers, suffering trauma or dying during smuggling.
- About 60% of primate species worldwide are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and hunting.
- Wildlife trafficking is a global illegal market worth around $23 billion annually, with primate smuggling increasing in the US.
- Experts call for stronger laws and better social media tools to stop illegal primate sales and protect animals and public health.
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