Hi,

Please see the following petition:

Even if you are not a keeper of this beautiful species, but a captive keeper of other exotics, please show your support.

With the call for a prohibition of privately kept primates within the UK by RSPCA and Monkeyworld, the need to stand and unite does not just represent those involved with this petition, but all keepers.

If the opposition to primates succeed in the campaign to prohibit the keeping - ask yourself this one question - whatever next?

Responsible private keepers are calling for the introduction of the code of practice for primates.

Genuine primate keepers in the United Kingdom believe that they have the right to maintain this beautiful species within exotic collections.

Private keepers believe that if a code of practice is introduced for primate keeping, then there should be no reason why responsible keepers of this species can not maintain them. For far too long, primate keepers have been under the scrutiny of those that oppose the keeping of exotics. If there is a strict code of practice in place under the new animal welfare act, then this will – we believe bode well for private keepers and show to those whom do oppose, and are calling for a ban on the keeping of primates in private hands, that exotics keepers can keep and maintain this species not only well, but extremely well.

Petition to: 'allow the keeping of primates by private keepers'.

Rory Matier
PKL: PKA

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My thanks to those of this readership who have already signed the petition.

I can not reiterate enough without being accused of scaremongering or fear mongering that there is no threat to what the RSPCA or Monkeyworld have planned in their campaign. There is.

But they [RSPCA] are not visible yet with their campaign strategy, Monkeyworld, do not hide their feelings.

But the fact is this, just because this is primates, should matter not, it is a side to keeping exotic animals, and should this one of the most political hotbeds in politics today befall a campaign, then why should those that oppose not look to other political hotties - specialist cats, dwal, specialised non licenced mammals.

Guys and Gals, reptiles is a political hotty, but as keepers go, you are the biggest community, you are the strongest community, they will not attack you yet, but they will eventually.

And when they do, and if they should win, what would that mean in reality?

Well think about it this way, look at a possible long range plan of opposed attack.

Primates - Gone within 30 years of a successful campaign [based on longetivity of species]
Specialist Cats - Gone " "
DWAL species - Stripped down and gone
Specialist mammals - Gone within the animals lifespan

But reptiles, could they ever do it?

Yes they could, but it would take about 40 [max period] years and then it would be over............ legally.

But would that mean 40 years good time?

No, it would mean serious restrictions on keeping, legislational restrictions, transport restrictions covering movement, close down of international import and european purchase, gene pool collapse? You tell me, when everything starts to close down what will you have left?

So l ask you to sign now, fine you are not a primate keeper, but support those who are now, and then they too will support you in your futures.

R

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Interestingly enough, l have found this, and whilst it is just under three years of age, it does show how just back then how those whom oppose the keeping of primates in private hands were thinking.

?There may be as many as 1,500 to 3,000 primates being kept as pets within our borders.? Shocked? Don?t be. It?s legal.

It is of course a very valid argument, l have to be honest, and whilst many out there may refer to me as a hypocrit for what l write next, the sad fact is simple, what they write there is in many senses of the word true, look:

Key points in the report:

· Primates are wild animals, whether captive bred or born in the wild, and do not make suitable pets in our homes.

· Primates are highly intelligent, long-lived, and social tree-dwelling animals. It is virtually impossible for a private keeper to meet their physical and psychological needs in captivity. Boredom and frustration lead to aggression, repetitive behaviour (such as rocking and over-grooming), and self-injury.

· All primates are threatened in the wild.The keeping and trade in pet primates creates a demand for threatened and endangered animals to be hunted illegally from the wild. Large numbers of primates die during capture and transport.

· Keeping primates as pets poses health risks to people. Because primates and humans are biologically similar, there is particular risk of disease transfer. Primates also have the potential inflict severe injuries.

· IFAW researchers discovered how easy it is to obtain a pet primate in the UK. During one week in January 2005, more than 140 primates were advertised for sale on the Internet; From 1999 to 2002, 345 primates were advertised for sale in ‘Cage and Aviary Bird’ magazine; one in 15 pet shops (from a sample of 750) offered to help source a pet primate.


These are of course valid, and the responsible keeper can see this, but to each point raised there is of course an opposite and positive answer. Whilst valid reasons, not all of the points raised are technically based on entire truth and l do see some fabrication.

But the fact is ladies and gents, that we as keepers can see through most of these figures, those who do not keep primates or any other exotics, perhaps would not bother to look any further than what was written here?

But let us look at the possible solutions:

IFAW’s main recommendations to the UK Government:

· Phase out the keeping of primates in private ownership

· Prohibit the trade in all primates for commercial and personal purposes

· Introduce a licensing system for sanctuaries caring for primates

· Increase resources for enforcement of legislation

Okay fair proposals, now turn it around and see if the arguments can fit with other animal species - say reptiles?

So there is what they would plan long term ............ a complete phase out.

It does make for as said an interesting read, and l again say this, you may not support keeping primates, but do you honestly think everyone else supports you keeping reptiles?

For as many keepers of primates whom keep them in the wrong husbandry the same can be said of reptile keepers, mammal keepers etc.

Think about it, support responsible keepers and ownership,

Please sign

Cheers

Rory

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