NEWS
ACRES PRESS RELEASE
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PRESS RELEASE
23 August 2004
ANOTHER PET PRIMATE CONFISCATED IN SINGAPORE
SINGAPORE 23 AUGUST – Following a tip-off received by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) with regard to a primate illegally kept as a pet in Singapore, officers from Acres and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) raided a warehouse area off Malan Road on 20 August 2004.
A female rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) was found chained up in the compound. “She was in horrible living conditions and was extremely obese.” said Louis Ng, President of Acres.
Rhesus macaques are listed under Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) of which Singapore is a signatory to.
This species is not native to Singapore and was probably illegally imported. Under the Endangered Species (Import and Export) Act, it is illegal to import this species without a permit and the possession of any illegally imported primate species is also an offence. Furthermore, under the Wild Animals and Birds Act, it is illegal to keep primates as pets.
This is the second successful raid conducted by Acres in collaboration with AVA. In 2003, a pet vervet monkey was confiscated and repatriated back to Africa.
This macaque is currently housed at AVA’s Centre for Animal Welfare and Control and the owner will be prosecuted under Singapore laws.
Acres urges the public to refrain from keeping primates and other wild animals as pets since:
The welfare of the animals may be compromised due to many reasons such as unsuitable living conditions, poor diets and lack of knowledge of the pet owner taking care of the animal.
They can spread diseases to humans and domestic animals.
Collection of wild animals for trading will lead to imbalance of the ecosystem and threaten the survival of endangered species.
Singapore’s biodiversity would be greatly affected if such exotic pets were released in the wild, as most of them are non-native.
If the public witnesses someone illegally possessing or selling illegal pets, they can contact Acres at our new 24 hours hotline: 9783 7782. All calls will be kept strictly confidential.
Contact:
Louis Ng (President)
Email: louis@acres.org.sg
Office: +65 6296 7758
Handphone: +65 9796 8592
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Notes to editors
Photos of the macaque is available on request.
Acres is a non-profit organisation aimed at fostering respect and compassion for all animals. Acres’ approach to raising animal welfare issues is to focus on education and back up our advocacy with scientific clarity accrued through research. Using our findings, we will inform the public and work towards synergistic partnerships with the authorities and related parties to improve animal welfare.
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