Having pets at home can be a great way to improve a family’s wellbeing – and, when we say “pets”, we mostly mean cats and dogs. However, it’s becoming common to see wild animals, like monkeys – that can cost anywhere from $1.500 to $50.000 – being domesticized. For it to be legal, the primate must be born in captivity and authorized by the environment secretariat of the respective state.
The problem is that, in many cases, primates are not kept in a safe and suitable space. By not having their needs met, living beings end up being objectified: they can be bought, sold or left aside, if not found interesting. In name of consumption, animals have their rights ignored, even though they are guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights.
In addition to the environmental collapse, this market causes the extinction of animals. About 38 million species are taken annually from nature, generating US$ 2.5 billion per year in the trade of these species. Animal trafficking is no joke: the transportation is precarious. Many animals die or suffer due to bad conditions. This attitude causes numerous consequences, such as diseases, imbalances in nature, death and extinction of species.
Exotic animals were not made to live in cages, since their origin is in the wild. Each wild animal has a role in maintaining nature balanced, and primates are no different. Monkeys, for instance, eat fruits and spread seeds through their feces, which is really important to parrots.
Another reason why monkeys shouldn’t be kept as pets is they can transmit rabies, leptospirosis and leishmaniasis – among other deadly diseases – to humans if not properly vaccinated.
Also, to keep monkeys at home, you need to have an environmental license. In order to have the species released, it is necessary that they are regulated, registered, vaccinated and in good health.
The purchase can only be made in stores authorized by the responsible agencies. In fact, there are few who have this authorization. Those who do not have it play a part in animal trafficking, which is considered an environmental crime. Do not contribute to it and think carefully when deciding to have a wild animal at home.
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The article above was edited by Lethicia Lioi.
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