Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are indigenous to Indonesia and are part of the rich and diverse ecosystem, contributing to the country’s unique biodiversity. They are a protected species under Appendix II on CITES.
We are appealing to the Indonesian Institute of Sciences to deny a permit that would allow the capture of wild long-tailed macaques in Indonesia, for export to China and USA. The trapping is taking place under the guise of diminishing human conflict with local farming communities, but this does not explain why the monkeys should then be transported long distances out of their natural environment. It is believed that these macaques would end up in the research industry in China and USA, having to endure the horrific cruelties of animal testing.
If the trapping and export of wild macaques went ahead, Indonesia would be breaching its own wildlife legislation introduced in 1994 that prevented such exports of wild macaques.
Asia for Animals Coalition has come together to write a letter to Indonesian authorities urging them to deny any permit that would allow the capture of wild long-tailed macaques, and to revise their thinking of how they approach macaque population management and human conflict. You can read our letter in full, supported by 198 global animal welfare NGOs here
TAKE ACTION
If you want to help to make sure the Indonesian authorities heed our letter, why not speak up for macaques yourself? Below we have drafted a suggested text which you can copy and paste in to a letter or email and send directly to the Indonesian embassy. You can find their contact details here:
SUGGESTED LETTER TEXT:
Dear Ambassador,
I am shocked to learn that a request has been submitted to the Directorate General of Natural Resource Conservation at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Indonesia, to allow the capture of wild long-tailed macaques from the Gunung Kidul Regency.
It has been reported in the media, that these captured wild monkeys may be exported to China and the USA for research. I understand that this would be a breach of Indonesia’s own wildlife legislation, introduced in 1994 to protect these macaques.
Indonesia is a country rich in natural beauty and wildlife and the long-tailed macaque is a protected species under Appendix II on CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
If the macaque population needs to be managed, I urge you to consider the humane methods that can be adopted instead.
I appeal to the Government of Indonesia to protect its indigenous primate populations and deny permits that would allow the trapping and export of long tailed macaques.
Yours Respectfully,
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