More primates rescued in recent months in Catalonia thanks to the new Animal Welfare Law

The recent Animal Welfare Law is starting to mark a turning point in the protection of primates in Spain. Thanks to its implementation, several cases of primates kept as pets in Catalonia have been addressed in recent months. The Generalitat has collaborated with Fundació MONA to manage each rescue, ensure their well-being, and find them a suitable destination.

Coordinating Rescues and Transfers

At MONA, we have provided support in the planning and execution of rescues, as well as in conducting health checks before transfers.

Although we specialize in rescuing and rehabilitating primates, we have not been able to take in these former pets, as we currently do not have groups of the confiscated species. For this reason, we have worked to find rescue centers that could offer them an appropriate environment for recovery and integration into groups of their own species. One example is the Wildlife Recovery Center of the Fundación Neotrópico in Tenerife, where the latest confiscated capuchin monkey has recently arrived to live with others of its kind.

One of the capuchin monkeys living at the Neotrópico rescue center

The Problem with Primates as Pets

These cases remind us of an ongoing issue: primates are not pets. Raised in homes without meeting their physical, emotional, and social needs, many end up developing serious health and behavioral problems. Taken from their mothers too soon and deprived of group life, they suffer from stress, anxiety, and behaviors that can become self-destructive due to the impact of social isolation.

The Importance of Group Living

In the wild, primates live in complex communities where social contact is key to their well-being. In specialized rescue centers, they have the chance to reunite with individuals of their own species, learn natural behaviors, and form social bonds that provide them with stability and a second chance at a dignified life.

At Fundació MONA, we continue to work to end the keeping of primates as pets and contribute to their protection and conservation in the wild. Thank you for your support in this mission![:]