Captive Primate Safety Act

NAIB Volunteer

NAIB Volunteer

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15+ year member
The Captive Primate Safety Act was introduced in May 20205 as a proposed federal legislation aimed at curbing the private ownership and trade of nonhuman primates as pets. It would amend the Lacey Act to prohibit the interstate and foreign commerce of primates for the pet trade, effectively eliminating this industry in the United States. The bill seeks to protect both primates, who suffer from being kept in unsuitable conditions, and the public, who can be injured or exposed to disease by these animals.

The amended Lacy Act would:
  • Prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates
  • prohibit the sale and transportation of primates for the pet trade, including both interstate and foreign commerce.
  • Exempt zoos, research facilities, universities, and sanctuaries.
AZA, PETA, and the Animal Welfare Institute have enforced the measure.
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
The Captive Primate Safety Act was introduced in May 20205 as a proposed federal legislation aimed at curbing the private ownership and trade of nonhuman primates as pets. It would amend the Lacey Act to prohibit the interstate and foreign commerce of primates for the pet trade, effectively eliminating this industry in the United States. The bill seeks to protect both primates, who suffer from being kept in unsuitable conditions, and the public, who can be injured or exposed to disease by these animals.

The amended Lacy Act would:
  • Prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates
  • prohibit the sale and transportation of primates for the pet trade, including both interstate and foreign commerce.
  • Exempt zoos, research facilities, universities, and sanctuaries.
AZA, PETA, and the Animal Welfare Institute have enforced the measure.
Click to expand...
Ironically I actually just wrote a paper for one of ky classes about why we should ban private exotic animal ownership. This would've worked perfectly then
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
The Captive Primate Safety Act was introduced in May 20205 as a proposed federal legislation aimed at curbing the private ownership and trade of nonhuman primates as pets. It would amend the Lacey Act to prohibit the interstate and foreign commerce of primates for the pet trade, effectively eliminating this industry in the United States. The bill seeks to protect both primates, who suffer from being kept in unsuitable conditions, and the public, who can be injured or exposed to disease by these animals.

The amended Lacy Act would:
  • Prohibit the private possession of nonhuman primates
  • prohibit the sale and transportation of primates for the pet trade, including both interstate and foreign commerce.
  • Exempt zoos, research facilities, universities, and sanctuaries.
AZA, PETA, and the Animal Welfare Institute have enforced the measure.
Click to expand...
How are zoos defined here? This would probably be a death sentence for several species of primates in North American zoos.
 
birdsandbats said:
How are zoos defined here? This would probably be a death sentence for several species of primates in North American zoos.
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These types of bills usually have exemptions carved out for AZA-accredited zoos. Occasionally ZAA-accredited as well, although neither PETA and the HSUS are overly fond of the ZAA.

Given how the AZA has cozied up with PETA and the like in recent years, it does not surprise me to see them endorsing this bill. They endorsed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, after all.
 
birdsandbats said:
How are zoos defined here? This would probably be a death sentence for several species of primates in North American zoos.
Click to expand...

One of the backers of this is the Born Free USA Primate Sanctuary. They’re not AZA accredited, but are accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).

The restrictions appear to be levelled first and foremost at the pet trade, which is no bad thing. The original post notes that zoos, research facilities, universities, and sanctuaries are exempt from this, suggesting any sanctuary with credibility won’t be affected.
 
Wisp O' Mist said:
These types of bills usually have exemptions carved out for AZA-accredited zoos. Occasionally ZAA-accredited as well, although neither PETA and the HSUS are overly fond of the ZAA.

Given how the AZA has cozied up with PETA and the like in recent years, it does not surprise me to see them endorsing this bill. They endorsed the Big Cat Public Safety Act, after all.
Click to expand...

In the realm of government policy, you gotta work with what you have. Teaming up with animal welfare groups for these historic pieces of legislation is a smart way to improve and strengthen wildlife policy.
 
birdsandbats said:
Oh so this is meaningless legislation, then. Like the Big Cat Public Safety Act.
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A Class C licensed facility, in good standing with USDA, are exempt. Both legislations prohibit the possession, transportation, and breeding of listed species as pets. That's more than meaningless...
 
I think banning the keeping of primates as pets is a good thing. These animals have very complex needs and some larger species can be dangerous. They can also carry many diseases.
 
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