Monkey rescued from poor living conditions in Greenwich

A common marmoset monkey has been rescued following a joint council investigation, which found the primate living in poor welfare conditions and kept without a licence at a house in Greenwich. 

Following a report from a concerned resident, officers from the Royal Borough of Greenwich and the City of London Corporation* discovered the monkey living in a bird cage, which is an unsuitable environment for a primate. He was not being fed an appropriate diet and lived alone – primates need companionship within their species to live a happy life. The owner also did not have a licence to keep the animal. 

Another visit then took place with officers from the council and City Corporation’s licensing and animal welfare teams, alongside the RSPCA and the Metropolitan Police. The unlicensed primate keeper agreed to voluntarily give up the marmoset. The monkey has now been transferred to a specialist facility to receive veterinary treatment; he will then be taken to a new home in a wildlife park to live with other marmosets. 

The individual keeping the primate without a licence received a warning.