Two Gibraltar monkeys found in Granada

Two Gibraltar monkeys have been confiscated from a private residence in Granada. The two monkeys, macaca sylvanus, were found locked in cages in the courtyard of a house. The property owner is being investigated. They are now in the care of La Fundación AAP PRIMADOMUS.

The Guardia Civil’s nature protection team, SEPRONA, have rescued two Gibraltar monkeys from the courtyard of a private home in Granada. The owner of the residence, a 56-year-ol man, is being investigated for two crimes – one against wild fauna and flora and the second of crime against animals. 

The monkeys had been caged for more than fifteen years, in poor conditions. 

The investigation on behalf of the Gibraltar monkeys

After receiving a report from a third party, SEPRONA began their investigation.  They were able to confirm that there were indeed two specimens of macaca sylvanus locked in cages in the courtyard of a Granada house. This animal species is protected in Appendix I of the CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) within the maximum possible protection, and its possession by individuals is prohibited.

SEPRONA in Granada contacted La Fundación AAP PRIMADOMUS, dedicated to the protection and defense of animals and a centre for the rescue and rehabilitation of exotic mammals, and requested their help to take care of the animals.

Veterinarians from the foundation accompanied the SEPRONA agents to the property and confirmed that, in addition to the crime against wild fauna and flora for the possession of prohibited animals, a crime of continued animal abuse was being committed. The macaca sylvanus, a male and a female, were kept separated and locked in rusty cages with sharp edges and protrusions, in very poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. There was no continuous water supply and no shelter in case of adverse weather conditions for one of the cages. They also showed signs of diseases derived from poor nutrition for years, alopecia, cavities, missing teeth, polyuria and polydipsia associated with diabetes, as well as Cushing’s Disease and/or metabolic diseases.

Primates suffer from and transmit diseases to people such as tuberculosis, AIDS or herpes, so keeping these animals in captivity without the corresponding analytical tests to certify that they are free of these diseases is a risk to public health. In this case, the animals had been without veterinary control for more than fifteen years, all due to their illegal status.

The Civil Guard proceeded to seize the two GIbraltar monkeys,  and handed them to La Fundación AAP PRIMADOMUS, which will be responsible for their care and rehabilitation.

The court case continues. 

Elle Draper

Elle, along with Alan, is the owner of Spain Buddy and the busy web design business – Spain Web Design by Gandy-Draper.
Born a “Norverner”, she then spent most of her life “Dann Saff” before moving to Spain in 2006. Elle’s loves are Alan, the internet, dogs, good food, and dry white wine – although not necessarily in that order.