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Scoot, pictured above, is only one of five
rare Mantled Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata)
known to be in captivity in the United States.
As an infant, Scoot and Toot (another infant
mantled howler monkey) were sold to an unwitting
buyer at a San Antonio, Texas Flea Market. Scoot
and Toot are now residents at Primarily Primates
sanctuary.
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Under the US Endangered Species Act,
wildlife belonging to endangered species cannot legally
be sold between states. Animals can be donated or
exchanged but sale is not permitted without a permit
obtained from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Endangered animals can only be sold within a state;
for example, a Florida dealer can sell an orangutan
to a private party in Florida but not to a buyer in
New York.
Several primate species listed on the
US Endangered Species List are nonetheless found being
kept as pets. Among them are cottontop tamarins, Diana
monkeys, lemurs, and gibbons. While many of these
animals may have been legally obtained, it is likely
that money changes hands in some cases. Unfortunately
it is impossible for private individuals to investigate
such transactions, which often involve cash payments.
The USFWS Division of Law Enforcement
is charged with enforcement of the Endangered Species
Act. The agency has many well-trained undercover agents
who can infiltrate animal dealing networks. This technique
has led to many successful prosecutions. IPPL believes
that the USFWS could bring an end to most sales of
endangered primates as pets. Unfortunately the agency
has no mandate to handle cases involving non-endangered
species.
Please send a letter requesting that
USFWS investigate the pet trade involving cottontop
tamarins, Diana monkeys, lemurs, gibbons, and all
endangered primates, to
Kevin Adams, Chief
Division of Law Enforcement
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P.O. Box 3247
Arlington, VA 22203 USA
