Wiltshire Council has announced that residents who keep monkeys or other primates as pets will soon need a licence to do so. This new licensing scheme ensures that primate owners meet the same strict animal welfare standards currently imposed on zoos.
The Licensing Committee emphasized that primates are highly intelligent, socially complex, and emotionally sensitive animals requiring environments that promote cognitive stimulation, social interaction, and natural behaviors. The licence system will mandate comprehensive welfare requirements, regular inspections, and clear accountability to prevent neglect and suffering among privately-kept primates.
Starting April 6 next year, licences will be issued for a period of three years. Inspections will be carried out by qualified professionals, likely specialist veterinarians, to enforce these standards. A licence fee will cover the enforcement and administrative costs involved.
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Councillors highlighted that some primate species, especially larger or more aggressive ones, can pose physical risks to people if not properly contained. Furthermore, primates can transmit diseases to humans, and the new licensing framework aims to reduce these health risks by enforcing zoo-level welfare and containment standards.
Primates covered by the legislation include orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs, marmosets, capuchins, and squirrel monkeys. Historically, smaller primates such as marmosets and squirrel monkeys have been kept as house pets. However, the updated rules—requiring adequate space, social opportunities, and species-specific care—effectively prohibit keeping primates indoors or in typical home environments.
It is estimated that around 5,000 primates are currently kept as pets in the UK. The RSPCA strongly advises against this practice, emphasizing that primates need ample space, companionship, and mental stimulation that cannot be provided in normal household settings. They also warn that primates, while appearing cute when young, may become aggressive and have been known to bite or attack their owners once mature.
These measures are designed to promote responsible ownership, safeguard primate welfare, and protect public safety.