Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.5.
US imports of M. fascicularis by import term.
Bodies
Bones
Derivatives
Extract
Live
Skin
pieces
Skulls
Specimens
2000
2001
1
144
10970
2
19753
38
13559
89892
2002
40
14308
70377
2003
1
40
14679
2
49812
2004
165
16844
60
353955
2005
1
35
350
24629
253337
2006
305
16
15
25878
113268
2007
24112
1
161427
2008
20
26509
1
187185
trade under the guise of captive breeding. Operations which are determined
to be illegally catching and trading macaques need to be penalized to the full
extent of the law to serve as a deterrent. Moreover, those utilizing macaques
need to be made aware that they are potentially consuming a significant
portion of the population.
The World Health Organization and the Ecosystem Conservation
Group recommends that wild-caught primates should only be used to
establish self-sustaining captive breeding colonies (WHO, 1971). Whilst
a facility might only obtain animals which have been declared as captive-
bred, it is possible that some individuals could have been harvested from
the wild. The use of animals of unknown pedigree and disease history as
study subjects could undermine the validity of any research conducted
on them.
Export countries, still allowing the capture of wild macaques must
adhere to Article IV of CITES which requires that a non-detriment find-
ing (NDF) survey be conducted prior to allowing capture for export. Data
on wild populations are needed to ensure that harvest is not detrimental to
the conservation of this species in the wild. Countries need to ensure that
adequate laws are in place and the enforcement of these is essential. CITES
is a tool to be used to ensure that trade is not a threat to the conservation of
wildlife. Unless this tool is effectively used and enforced it is completely
ineffective.
Importing countries should ensure that the import of macaques is con-
ducted in accordance with national legislation in source countries and
adheres to CITES regulations. Exporting countries need to work together to
ensure their utilization of macaques does not damage natural populations of
long-tailed macaques. Illegal and unregulated trade has potentially caused
