British decision

Keepers will need a permit for primates from 2026

A Japanese macaque(Bild: AFP)

From 2026, people in the UK will need a permit to keep primates. This was decided by the British government, as announced on Tuesday. The animals will then have to be kept to the standard of zoos.

It is estimated that there are currently up to 5,000 primates living as pets in the UK. The wild animals have complex care and social needs, experts said. They could not be kept appropriately in most environments. "These new measures will improve the welfare of potentially thousands of these intelligent animals."

Threat of confiscation and fines
Anyone who does not have a permit and still keeps primates will face a fine and the removal of the animals from 2026. This was announced by the British Secretary of State Robert Peter Douglas-Miller. 

According to the government, the stricter requirements would practically correspond to a ban on keeping primates. Animal rights activists welcomed the new rules, but would have preferred a complete ban. According to them, the license system should be strictly controlled.