A decision made by the Mauritius Government will allow experiments on animals to take place on the island. Since monkeys are likely to be the main animals used in research this means even more suffering for the country’s monkey population.

Mauritius is already one of the world’s largest suppliers of monkeys for research. Tens of thousands of monkeys are kept in large breeding farms across the island. The offspring of these wild-caught monkeys are then sent to laboratories around the world.

A statement made by the Cabinet Office on 27^th January 2017 says the Mauritius Government “has agreed to the Minister of Agro-Industry and Food Security promulgating the Animal Welfare (Experiment on Animals) Regulations under the Animal Welfare Act, to enable experiments to be carried out on animals.” 

Michelle Thew, Chief Executive of Cruelty Free International, says: "Allowing animal experiments to take place in Mauritius will further tarnish the country's international reputation as a 'paradise island'. The Government should be taking measures to reduce the suffering currently inflicted on Mauritian monkeys, our closest living relatives in the animal kingdom, not increasing it by allowing the establishment of animal laboratories.”

Cruelty Free International is concerned that European animal research companies may try to set up primate research facilities in countries such as Mauritius where there are fewer restrictions in place. Our campaign to see an end to experiments on monkeys from Mauritius has been championed by scientists, wildlife experts, politicians and the public. Prominent Indian politician, Mrs Maneka Gandhi, and internationally renowned primatologist, Dr Jane Goodall, have also voiced their support.