http:// The cruel Mauritius monkey tradeJune 2013.- Spain regularly imports log-tailed macaques from Mauritius. According to the figures released by the Ministry of Agro-Industry, in 2012 Mauritius exported a total of 6,494 primates (1) to eight countries around the world. In the first four months of 2013 Mauritius exported 1,461 monkeys around the world for research with the USA remaining the world’s largest importer. The USA imported 659 macaques, the UK 340 and Spain 216.

Mauritius is the world's largest exporter of monkeys for the research industry after China. The UK, the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Mexico, Singapore and Spain all bought Mauritian monkeys, which are traded at around £2,000 per animal. This cruel trade brings to Mauritius substantial benefits, and is at odds with the image of an idyllic holiday destination for which the island is known.

Wild monkeys are torn from their jungle homes and families. . Monkeys are highly social animals and live in close knit family groups. The capture of monkeys from the wild inflicts great suffering and is extremely cruel. Primates are flown from Mauritius by Air France, packed into small wooden crates. They travel as cargo. Air France is one of only a handful of passenger airlines that continues to transport primates for the research industry.

Once in Spain monkeys are transported to the breeding center of Camarles (Tarragona). This center has been repeatedly denounced by animal advocates. The monkeys will be used in used in toxicological (poisoning) research. Such testing can last for months during which the animals are dosed with chemicals or drugs through injection or forced ingestion. Others are used in neurological research which involves the implantation of electrodes and/or brain damage. Most will be killed at the end of their ordeal.

The BUAV has campaigned tirelessly to reveal the fate of primates in laboratories who are subjected to experiments that can cause them substantial pain, discomfort, suffering and death. Help us put an end to the cruel trade in monkeys from Mauritius by signing our global petition at:

http://petition.avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_the_cruel_Mauritius_monkey_trade_4/