British comedian Ricky Gervais has joined the BUAV’s Cargo Cruelty campaign and spoken out against airlines that transport monkeys destined for the research industry.
“I was shocked to learn that some airlines transport monkeys to laboratories around the world,” explains Gervais.
Many people are unaware that the airlines they are travellng with, and support with their flight purchases, are in fact participating in the international trade in monkeys for laboratory experiments. Also unbeknown by the unsuspecting traveler, at any given time there may be primates in the cargo hold just below your feet.
“I support the BUAV’s Cargo Cruelty campaign and urge these airlines to take a compassionate stance and say no to monkey shipments,” adds Gervais.
The BUAV’s campaign highlights the key role passenger airlines play in this chain of animal cruelty. The airlines transport monkeys from supply facilities in countries such as Mauritius, Vietnam, Barbados, St Kitts, China and Cambodia, for laboratories around the world where they will suffer and often die in experiments. Some monkeys are taken from the wild; others are the offspring of wild-caught individuals forced into captivity for breeding.
The BUAV has been influential in persuading an increasing number of airlines to take a stance to dissociate themselves from this cruelty. Now only a small number of passenger airlines continue to be involved in this ugly business.
“We urge people to not book flights with any airline that transports monkeys destined for the research industry and let the airlines know why,” explains Sarah Kite, BUAV’s Director of Special Projects.
Airlines that refuse to transport primates for research include British Airways United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Northwest Airlines, Qantas Airways, South African Airways, Delta Airlines, Qatar Airways, Eva Air and China Airlines.
Unfortunately, airlines that continue to transport monkeys include Air Canada, Air France, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Continental Airlines, American Airlines, Caribbean Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.
Visit: www.buav.org/cargocruelty
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