Ms Dawn Groom has reportedly owned Capuchin monkeys, cotton-top tamarins, squirrel monkeys, and ring-tailed lemurs for many years. Some of these species require a license to be kept privately as they are categorised as dangerous under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (DWA).  

This year, Born Free revealed there are nearly 5,000 DWA-listed animals licensed for private keeping in Britain; including at least 240 individual primates, such as macaques, baboons and lemurs. Born Free wants to see an end to the keeping of primates as pets altogether. 

“Primates are particularly vulnerable to welfare problems due to their complex social, physical and behavioural needs,’’ says Dr Chris Draper, Born Free’s Head of Animal Welfare & Captivity. ‘‘These animals require specific housing conditions, dietary requirements, and furthermore, the safety risk these animals pose to their owners and the wider public should not be ignored.”                 

The law regulating the keeping and sale of dangerous wild animals has not been significantly reviewed since its inception – something that Born Free wants to change. We are currently petitioning the UK Government to review the law, to better protect both animals and people. Please help us by signing our petition. It only takes a minute. Thank you! 

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A captive Capuchin monkey in the UK