The illegal live trade in infant macaques from Morocco to Europe is a huge threat to the wild Barbary macaque population. It is estimated that up to 300 infants are taken annually from the Moroccan habitats. Most of the infants are taken from the wild are for the international pet trade to Europe. Reports of capture for the international pet trade date back to 1977, and since then the trade has strongly increased. Sanctuaries and zoos in Europe have become overstocked with Barbary Macaque infants offered to them by authorities and ex-owners, most infants coming straight from the wild. In France, where the problem is the largest of all, wild-caught macaques are euthanized frequently because of lack of shelter.

With help of this petition we want to urge the European Union and the Moroccan Authorities to better enforce the laws and put an end to this trade, and also to better protect the natural habitats of this species. Thank you for your support!!

Moroccan Primate Conservation foundation (MPC: www.mpcfoundation.nl) with funding from Wild Futures (www.wildfutures.org)