Plans to export Toque Macaques to China banned

The Attorney General yesterday informed the Court of Appeal that the Department of Wildlife Conservation has chosen to suspend all activities pertaining to the exportation of Toque Macaques to China.

The assurance was made when a case filed by 30 petitioners, including the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, Rescue Animals Sri Lanka, RARE Sri Lanka, Justice for Animals and other organisations against the move was taken up before the court yesterday.

The group had filed the case before the Court of Appeal seeking a court order to prevent the proposed export of toque macaque monkeys from Sri Lanka to China. Following the Attorney General’s statement in open court, the petitioners said it was an excellent outcome for wildlife conservation in Sri Lanka.

The case will be taken up before the Court of Appeal on 6 July to record the undertaking given to the Court by the State.

In April, the Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera amidst stiff opposition announced the Government’s plans to export Toque Macaques considered a pest to China to be displayed in zoos.