A troubling new report has uncovered more than 1,600 primates advertised for sale on social media platforms over a six-week period in 2025, highlighting a thriving online trade involving endangered wildlife, according to The Guardian.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, International Fund for Animal Welfare, and World Wildlife Fund published the study “Primates for Purchase: The Surge in Sales on Social Media in the US,” which documented listings across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
Researchers found that sellers frequently framed primate sales as “rehoming” or “adoption” arrangements rather than commercial transactions, a tactic that seemed to help the listings evade platform rules restricting the sale of these animals.
Prices for these intelligent and sensitive creatures ranged from $250 to $6,500, based on factors such as species, age, and rarity.
Macaques reportedly appeared in the most listings, with marmosets and capuchins also heavily represented. Disturbingly, many the primates were just babies or juveniles — vulnerable animals often torn from their mothers, subjected to deadly smuggling conditions, and condemned to lives of suffering in captivity.
In addition, researchers raised concerns that inconsistent laws continue to create opportunities for traffickers as primates are being smuggled into the U.S. with increasing frequency.
To help address the crisis, the report urges U.S. lawmakers to, among other things, back the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would make it illegal to privately possess or breed nonhuman primates, or to engage in interstate or foreign commerce involving them. If you haven’t already, please sign our petition to help pass this important legislation.
Lady Freethinker is grateful to the organizations that helped expose the growing primate trade and its devastating impact. We will continue fighting for stronger protections for primates and other wild animals exploited by the exotic pet trade.
