Over 150 long-tailed macaques imported into Russia and supposedly destined to be homed at zoos and animal parks have died after they were used for illegal experiments.
According to local media, 151 of the 300 imported long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis), also known as the crab-eating macaque, were put down after the experiments.
The animals were brought into the western Russian federal subject of Krasnodar Krai between 2017 and 2019.
The Russian customs authority discovered the alleged misuse of the macaques and said that five different deliveries of the animals occurred in the two-year period.
The 300 Old World monkeys were reportedly worth over 8.5 million RUB (108,000 GBP) and were flown into the Russian region from Vietnam where they were intended to be used in zoos, animal parks and circuses, according to reports.
The unnamed import company provided all the necessary certificates and permits for the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Supervision and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).
Despite this, the 300 macaques ended up at a local research institute where they were allegedly subjected to illegal medical experiments.
According to local media, the institute did not have the necessary permits for the tests and they failed to meet the standards for the transportation of the animals.
Reports said that 151 macaques were used for the research before being put down.
The surviving animals will be sent to zoos in Russia’s Southern Federal District and other regions, according to local media.
The investigation into the import company and research institute involved in the allegations continues.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Anna Guran, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
