Study Reveals Surge in Primate Sales on Social Media, Raising Animal Welfare Concerns
A recent study conducted by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the World Wildlife Fund has uncovered a significant increase in the sale of primates on social media platforms in the United States. Over a six-week period in mid-2025, researchers identified more than 1,000 listings for primates on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. These listings often used terms like 'rehoming' or 'adoption' to mask the trade, which operates with minimal federal restrictions. The study documented 1,131 posts from 122 accounts advertising 1,614 primates, with macaques being the most commonly listed species. Prices for these animals ranged from $250 to $6,500, depending on species, age, and rarity. Many of the animals listed were infants, often taken from their mothers in the wild, raising significant concerns about animal welfare and public safety. 
