Americans shoot more than 800 monkeys dead for sport every year, figures suggest

Trophy hunting is legal under international law, but unlike the expensive fees charged to kill large game animals like lions and rhinos, licences to shoot monkeys often cost next to nothing.

TOM EMBURY-DENNIS: ‘American trophy hunters are reportedly shooting dead more than 800 monkeys every year. According to animal rights group Humane Society International, more than 11,000 primate hunting trophies were traded between countries from 2007 to 2016, with almost 80 percent making their way to the US. On average, the US imported almost 890 primate trophies annually, with Spain the next biggest importer, with 490 trophies brought into the country over the entire period…

The top countries of origin where most primates were shot were South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique, respectively… Trophy hunting is legal under international law, but unlike the expensive fees charged to kill large game animals like lions and rhinos, licences to shoot monkeys often cost next to nothing… “It’s often free, or trophy fees can be as little as $20 (£15), so in essence people can just shoot primates,” Ms Iris Ho, senior specialist at HSI,said.’ SOURCE…

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