The Primate Trade in Mauritius: Between Science, Commerce, and Ethics

J Talbot
Sep 30
5 min read

Updated: Oct 2

Mauritius is often portrayed as a paradise island, celebrated for its beaches, biodiversity, and eco-tourism. Behind this image lies a less-publicized reality: the island has become the world’s largest exporter of primates for laboratory use. Thousands of long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) are bred, confined, and exported annually to research facilities across Europe, the United States, and Asia.

This controversial trade sits at the intersection of science, commerce, and ethics — raising necessary questions about animal welfare, conservation, and the future of biomedical research.

Eye-level view of a long-tailed macaque in its natural habitat — A long-tailed macaque sitting on a branch in a lush green forest.

Origins of the Primate Trade Industry

The primate trade in Mauritius began in the mid 1980s, when Mary-Ann and Owen Griffiths founded the business Bioculture Ltd. (company website and sector documents cite 1984/1985 as the origin). The founders’ backgrounds reported: Mary-Ann with microbiology experience and Owen with zoology/conservation background. They turned management of an introduced macaque population into a capture, breeding and export business for biomedical research. Several other companies (some owned by local industry magnates) such as Noveprim Ltd, Biosphere Trading Ltd, The Campeche / Les Campeches Ltd, Biodia Co Ltd and Hammerhead Ltd followed, seeing it is a high profit business using 'free recources'. Today, these firms are linked to international contract research organizations (CROs) and pharmaceutical giants, notably Charles River Laboratories, which conducts toxicology and drug testing on Mauritian macaques. Export figures vary year by year, but records show up to fourteen thousand (14'000 !) monkeys leave Mauritius annually, transported under stressful conditions to laboratories worldwide.

Species Description and Conservation Status

The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is a small Old World monkey native to Southeast Asia.

Physical traits: long tail, brown/grey fur, adaptable diet.
Conservation status: Listed as “Endangered” by the IUCN (2022) due to habitat loss, hunting, and exploitation for research.
In Mauritius, the macaques are an introduced species (brought by sailors centuries ago). While not native, they have formed stable wild populations, now targeted for capture and breeding.

Ethical Concerns

The ethical implications of the primate trade are profound. Many animals are taken from their families and subjected to harsh conditions. The trade often prioritizes profit over the well-being of the animals.

Breeders’ Justifications

Primate breeding companies and their supporters defend the industry on several grounds:

Scientific necessity – They argue that macaques are indispensable for testing vaccines, drugs, and understanding complex diseases.
Regulated welfare – Farms insist they follow international guidelines on animal care, transport, and housing.
Economic benefit – The industry provides jobs, investment, and export revenue for Mauritius.
Population control – Macaques are portrayed as agricultural pests, and their export is framed as a practical way to manage numbers.

Counter-Arguments:

Conservation and Ethical Challenges

Opponents present a starkly different perspective:

Animal welfare : Capture, confinement, and long-distance transport cause extreme suffering. Once in laboratories, animals endure invasive experiments, psychological stress, and premature death.
Conservation contradiction : The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is now listed as Endangered (IUCN, 2022). Exporting thousands of endangered primates and latest authorisation of wild-capture undermines global conservation priorities. Reports suggest a resurgence in wild capture to replenish breeding stock, maintain genetic diversity, and meet high global demand, especially after COVID-19–related supply shortages.
Flawed “pest” narrative : Claims of agricultural damage are often exaggerated, while humane non-lethal management (sterilization, habitat planning) offers viable alternatives. Captive breeding of primates for the research trade is not pest control—it is a commercial industry. It does not meaningfully reduce wild populations, undermines ecological balance, and ignores humane alternatives. True pest control would focus on reducing conflict through ethical, sustainable, and science-based methods, not on supplying global laboratories with primates.
Scientific flaws: Animal models, including macaques, fail to predict human outcomes, whereas non-animal methods (NAMs) such as organoids, organ-on-chip systems, and computational toxicology now provide more reliable data and are currently adopted in the in the international regulatory frameworks with a clear view to eliminate animal experiments by 2035. Find out more on scientific arguments, non-animal methods and the current regulatory shifts here.
Biosecurity risks : Concentrating monkeys in intensive breeding facilities increases risks of zoonotic disease outbreaks (e.g., tuberculosis, herpes B virus, hepatitis A virus, simian retroviruses). Cases of zoonotic outrbreaks including new virus variants previously not found in the country have recently been reported in the USA. (see here). In Mauritius a recent outbreak of hepatitis A infecting non-human primates and staff has been reported. (see here).
Environmental impacts :Breeding facilities require significant land use, often carved out of forest or agricultural land. This can: a) Lead to deforestation or habitat fragmentation; b) Increase pressure on local water and waste management systems. Large farms produce significant waste; and biological waste, chemicals (e.g., anesthetics, antibiotics), fecal matter, and incinerator emissions from breeding and research facilities can contaminate local water sources, soil, and air.
Ethical & Cultural Contradiction : The primate trade reduces sacred animals to commodities, directly clashing with Hindu values of reverence, ahimsa, and devotion to Hanuman. This contradiction is increasingly recognized as both a religious and ethical conflict in Mauritius.
Tourism and reputation: Mauritius markets itself as an eco-tourism destination, yet the hidden primate trade risks international backlash and reputational harm.

The Role of Legislation

Mauritius has laws in place to protect wildlife, including primates. However, enforcement of these laws can be challenging.

Current Regulations

Wildlife Protection Act: This act aims to protect endangered species and regulate the trade of wildlife.
CITES: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) also plays a role in regulating the trade of primates. Mauritius is a signatory to this agreement.

Challenges in Enforcement

Despite these regulations, enforcement for protection of the Mauritian macaques remains a challenge. Economic interests, industry pressure and insufficient public awareness hinder efforts to combat the primate trade.

The Role of the Community

Community involvement is essential for the success of primate conservation efforts.

Engaging Local Communities

Education Programs: Schools and community centers can host educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of protecting primates, humane human-wildlife conflict management and biomedical research facts (animal experimentation vs. better non-animal-methods)
Sustainable Practices: Encouraging sustainable practices, such as eco-tourism or local high value plantations with health- and cosmetic oriented benefiths can provide alternative livelihoods for communities that rely on the primate trade.

The Future of Primate Conservation in Mauritius

The future of primate conservation in Mauritius depends on continued efforts from all stakeholders.

Collaborative Approaches

Government and NGOs: Collaboration between the government and non-governmental organizations is crucial for effective conservation strategies.
Research and Monitoring: Ongoing research is needed to monitor primate populations and assess the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

Final Thoughts

The primate trade in Mauritius is a highly controversial complex issue that requires urgent attention and action. By understanding the challenges and supporting conservation efforts, we can help protect the long-tailed macaque and ensure a brighter future for wildlife in Mauritius.

The beauty of Mauritius is not just in its landscapes but also in its wildlife. Let us work together to preserve this natural heritage for future generations.