17.09.25
Would you be shocked if I told you that the UK Government is complicit in the capture of wild monkeys, force breeding, stripping their babies away from their Mothers, and transporting the babies to the UK for use in scientific experiments?
This isn’t a horror movie. This is 2025.
Non-human primates, i.e., monkeys, are used in scientific research in the UK. In 2023 alone, there were 2169 experimental procedures involving them. Of these 2,169 procedures, 47% involved the offspring of wild-caught monkeys.
The majority are bred in beautiful countries, such as Mauritius, and then flown to the UK, to Manchester Airport for dispersal around the country.
Their lives go something like this:
Monkeys are taken from the wild and held in captivity.
Breeding farms where babies are kept until weaned.
Long, stressful flights for babies to the UK.
Horrendous scientific experiments.
Death.
Repeat.
Is this the beginning of the end?
Until this week, the UK Government was deep in this barbaric exploitation of wild animals. Animals that are known to be highly intelligent, with often human-like behaviour, and are not too distant from you or me. But will this genuinely be the end of it?
It has been over three years since a report was published by the Animals in Science Committee that recommended the end of using the offspring of wild-caught monkeys for use in science in the UK. Finally, the Minister of State at the Home Office, Lord Hanson, has accepted all recommendations and has proposed action to end their use. Non-human primates bred for use in scientific purposes: response from Lord Hanson
It’s slow, but it’s potentially progress. We have concerns about some exemptions and the policing of breeding facilities in other countries, but we will continue to fight for the end of animals used in science, right here in the UK.
Time will tell if the UK Government does as it says it will and commits to a phase-out, but with your help and support, we remain firm that we will hold them to account and see the end of animal testing.
Read more about our work to end animal testing here.
