Primates in Transit
Every year tens of thousands of non-human primates are transported around the world for the international research industry, destined to be used in painful experiments during which most will die.
Certain airlines are responsible for transporting primates to laboratories around the world.
These monkeys originate from countries such as Mauritius, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Tanzania, Philippines, Indonesia, Barbados, Guyana, USA and Israel. Some are trapped in the wild while others are bred in captivity.
They are packed into wooden crates, usually too small to allow them even to stand up, and travel as cargo, predominantly on passenger air flights. The monkeys often have to endure inadequate ventilation, noise and extreme temperature fluctuations, as well as delays as they are shipped on extremely long journeys to laboratories across the world. Find out more about the stress and anxiety experienced by monkeys on their grueling journeys for the research industry.
The BUAV’s long-standing campaign to end such transportation by airlines of nonhuman primates has had a huge impact. The primate research industry is feeling the effects as an increasing number of airlines are helping to put a stop to animal cruelty and suffering by refusing to transport primates destined for the research industry.
Most recently Eva Air who was responsible for shipping monkeys from Indonesia to the USA pulled out as a direct response to communications with the BUAV. Other major airlines, including United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, Northwest Airlines, Qantas Airways, South African Airways, Delta Airlines and China Airlines have re-confirmed their commitment to not transport primates for the research industry. Find out which airlines still transport primates for research.
