Animals
Chained Monkeys Are Being Sold in Markets for $5 in Indonesia
The tragic photos capture the brutal reality faced by monkeys in Indonesia.
(TMU) — Tragic photos have been released that show tiny monkeys being sold for $5 in one of the world’s most popular tourist sites.
In heartbreaking images captured by wildlife photographer Luke Massey, long-tailed macaques are seen living in hideous conditions of captivity as they are sold for as little $5 to people frequenting the street markets of Bali, Indonesia.
A gallery on Massey’s website displays the images. In accompanying text, Massey wrote:
“The illegal wildlife trade is now the second largest global illegal trade, coming only after arms but higher than both people and drug trafficking.”
The photos capture the brutal reality faced by the primates in a country where the monkey trade faces few controls.
BE A RESPONSIBLE TOURIST – DON'T SAVE ONE TO SACRIFICE ANOTHER. Often these #monkeys sold at pet markets in #Bali ended up being chained again inside a filthy cage by owners because they're impossible to handle. Learn how to stop this #cruelty: https://t.co/OgngzKaUqu pic.twitter.com/L64Kf21m1e
— BAWA Bali (@bawa_bali) January 4, 2020
In some of the images, the monkeys are chained to the inside of locked cages. In others, the monkeys are clad in silly, colorful clothing, forced to perform tricks for passers-by.
While the long-tailed macaques may appear cute, the trade in monkeys and the inevitably brutal treatment they face amounts to a process of mass animal cruelty.
HELP IMPRISONED PRIMATES. This is the reality of so many #monkeys chained & caged all over #Bali. We have 30 long-tailed macaques now on a waiting list to be removed from captivity. Please don't ever buy monkeys from pet market & #donate to save them https://t.co/Fk6XLGv6Rk pic.twitter.com/Hvis3Z0ojx
— BAWA Bali (@bawa_bali) August 5, 2019
Speaking to LADBible, Massey noted that people typically buy the creatures when they’re young, tiny, and cute, before rejecting them when they grow and become more aggressive. He explained:
“Long-tailed macaques are the most commonly found monkey for sale in Indonesia’s markets.
They are cute looking and easily attainable in the wild relatively close to cities. The demand is mixed.
Some people buy the monkeys as babies, thinking they will stay cute forever, only to find them turn aggressive once they hit adulthood. Others buy them to train as dancing monkeys.”
Advocates have long demanded that Indonesia’s authorities put a halt to the inhumane trade in long-tailed macaques. In a Facebook post from 2018, the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) said that wildlife rescue centers across the country are all overwhelmed by the primates due to the continued existence of the trade.
We're OVERWHELMED with the requests to rescue macaques that are kept as pets, chained, caged or under other extreme cruel conditions.We really wish we could save them all, but the trade in baby macaques is ongoing as the Government still hasnt put a ban on keeping long tailed macaques.It would be wise to ban this cruel trade as these baby monkeys are taken from their families in the wild & their mothers shot dead in the process.The babies are then transported to the markets in Jakarta & others in Java where the babies are sold openly.MANY DIE & the survivors end up as dancing monkeys/ chained & caged.All existing wildlife rescue centers face the same problem .. overwhelmed with macaques in need of help & irresponsible people who keep buying them, therefore fuelling the trade!Therefore we focus on the dancing monkeys only & to END the primate pet trade entirely!For more information – https://www.jakartaanimalaid.com/wildlifecampaigns/primates-are-not-pets/-Kami kebanjiran banyak permintaan untuk menyelamatkan monyet-monyet yang dijadikan hewan peliharaan, dirantai dan dikurung secara kejam dalam keadaan memprihatinkan. Kami benar-benar berharap bisa sanggul menyelamatkan semuanya, namun perdagangan bayi-bayi monyet masih berlanjut KARENA BELUM ADA LARANGAN yang dikeluarkan oleh Pemerintah ttg memelihara monyet ekor panjang.Akan lebih bijaksana untuk menghentikan perdagangan yg kejam ini, karena bayi-bayi monyet diambil paksa dari keluarga mereka di hutan dan ibu mereka ditembak mati dalam proses ini.Kemudian bayi-bayi kera tersebut dikirim ke pasar-pasar Jakarta dan pasar lainnya di Jawa dimana mereka dijual secara terbuka.Banyak yang mati, dan yang selamat berakhir menjadi topeng monyet atau dirantai dalam kandang.Semua Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa Liar menghadapi masalah yang sama; kami kewalahan dengan laporan monyet yang butuh sekali utk direscue karena ulah orang-orang tidak bertanggung jawab yang terus menerus membeli mereka, sehingga semakin memicu perdagangan tersebut!Itu sebabnya JAAN saat ini baru bisa fokus kepada masalah topeng monyet dan mengakhiri perdagangan primata.Mohon klik link untuk informasi lebih lanjut – https://www.jakartaanimalaid.com/wildlifecampaigns/primates-are-not-pets/#Macaques #stopwildilifetrade #notapet #longtailedmacaques #primatetrade #saveprimates #selamatkanprimata #jakartaanimalaidnetwork #combatwildlifecrime #primatesarenotpets
Posted by Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) on Tuesday, March 20, 2018
In an interview with Coconuts Jakarta, JAAN co-founder Femke den Haas explained that the trade in monkeys isn’t just an animal cruelty concern, but also a public health hazard. She explained:
“The monkey trade in Indonesia is not controlled and the Forestry Department is not taking action because it’s of less concern to them. But the monkey pet trade should be a huge concern to everybody, not just because of ethical reasons and cruelty, but also because they can enter urban areas and spread diseases.”
For Massey, however, the creatures are clearly facing routine abuse in the markets. Continuing, he said:
“These monkeys are often tortured to learn to stand on their feet like humans, being hung just so their toes touch the ground for hours, beaten and starved so that they ride a bicycle or stilts on demand.
Once trained they are paraded at traffic lights and busy areas, where their owners ask for money after each performance.”
The photographer added that he feels a sense of helplessness when witnessing the creatures headed toward miserable lives or suffering in the harsh conditions. He said:
“Youngsters are left in small cages or chained up once they reach adulthood. Some lucky monkeys are bought by well-meaning tourists to be released or given to organisations but, despite being well meaning, this usually just fuels the trade.
Seeing a monkey in the wild is a fantastic experience. Seeing them in captivity in the markets is a horrible feeling, seeing their sadness in their eyes, while feeling completely helpless as they’re chained up is awful. Also knowing they are group animals and they are often kept on their own.”
Assisted with the evacuation of two ex pet monkeys at two different locations. Never buy a pet monkey, even out of pity because you will be supporting the trade! More on the story here – https://t.co/1RVZuVkYnh pic.twitter.com/QIO9p9RnLz
— Jakarta Animal Aid (@jaan_indonesia) June 29, 2018
By Elias Marat | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com
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