UK Grants 3 Primate Licences as 3,000-5,000 Pet Monkeys Face Euthanasia Risk
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 20
UK Grants 3 Primate Licences as 3,000-5,000 Pet Monkeys Face Euthanasia Risk
1 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 20
Only three primate licences had been granted in England after the new rules took effect on April 6, with one earlier licence covering eight animals and 13 more applications still pending.
The regulations require privately kept primates to meet zoo-like welfare standards, including indoor and outdoor enclosures; owners without a licence face up to six months in prison and an unlimited fine.
Owners say the enclosure size and height rules are hard to meet in homes and gardens, with one Kent keeper saying she meets about 90% of the requirements but is still awaiting council inspection.
Zoos and sanctuaries backing the policy warn they lack space for animals from failed applications, raising fears that some of the UK's estimated 3,000 to 5,000 privately kept primates could be euthanized.
Defra says the scheme is needed because primates are highly intelligent animals requiring zoo-level care, while welfare groups such as the RSPCA still argue private ownership should be banned outright.
Did a UK law meant to protect monkeys actually create an animal welfare crisis?
Are thousands of pet monkeys facing a death sentence after a new licensing law?
England’s Primate Licensing Crisis: Up to 5,000 Pets Face Euthanasia After 2024 Animal Welfare Law
Overview
In April 2026, the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024 came into force, triggering urgent enforcement across England. As of May 20, 2026, thousands of privately owned primates face the risk of capture and euthanasia due to non-compliance, with up to 5,000 pets affected and the process starting as early as April 6. Local authorities, such as East Riding of Yorkshire Council, are urging owners to seek licensing support, but uptake remains low. This situation highlights the immediate and serious consequences for primates and their owners under the new legal framework.