Help Marmoset Milly and Pet Trade Victims

Milly's case is a tragic one. This marmoset monkey was sold into the unregulated UK pet trade and subjected not only to neglect, but wilful cruelty and abuse.

The team at Monkey World were shocked when asked to review footage filmed by the owner and confiscated as evidence by the Newport Police, which showed Milly being tormented and chased by a dog, egged on by the owner. The poor marmoset was huddled in a corner, clearly terrified, with no means of escape. Worst still was the footage of Milly in a toilet bowl, scrabbling for hold and trying to escape, whilst off-camera people laughed, and shockingly then flushed the toilet. Milly was also offered cocaine in shocking video clips that were taken from the owner’s own phone.

Milly arrived at the park in January 2020 and the lack of trust she showed in people was heart-breaking. She hid at the back of the enclosure and alarm called whenever a member of staff passed by the enclosure.

Gradually, the primate care staff gained Milly’s trust, helped by pairing her with another common marmoset rescued from the pet trade, Moon. Moon was quick to dash to Milly’s side to reassure her when she became alarmed- tragically all too frequent for this traumatised marmoset. With Moon by her side, Milly gained confidence in her surroundings, and began to enjoy her new home, friend, and spending time outside in their large enclosure hunting insects; a far cry from her previous life, suffering alone indoors.

Milly's case made the press when her owner was found guilty of two counts of animal abuse and sentenced to a 12 week suspended sentence, a £600 fine and ban from keeping animals for life.

Milly's story touched many, and Monkey World have been overwhelmed with the number of people asking how they could help Milly, and others like her.

We would like to raise funds to help the rehabilitation of Milly, and future rescues of primates like Milly from the UK pet trade over the next year. Monkey World has been campaigning for a change in the law to stop monkeys being kept as "pets" in bird cages for the past 30 years. We have rescued 120+ and built two specialist enclosures to house over 30 victims of the trade. While the law looks set to change with the implementation of the Kept Animals Bill, we are anticipating a large number of monkeys needing rehoming.

All funds received will go to the Ape Rescue Trust, a 100% fund used solely for primate care, rescue and rehabilitation.