2nd March 2023

In February 2023, our friends at the Born Free Foundation shared the news that authorities in Sint Maarten - a Dutch administered part of the Caribbean islands - are planning on killing over 450 green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) in efforts to “control their population”. Green monkeys have bred and lived freely in the area since the 1970’s, after first being introduced as exotic “pets” by European traders as far back as the 17th century. Today, St. Maarten authorities deem the species to be a feral, non-native species, claiming their presence could “threaten native bird populations and food security” on the island. As a result, a lethal population control to manage their numbers has been authorised. This is unacceptable.

Freedom for Animals, alongside 74 signatories from across the animal protection, primatology, rescue, and rehabilitation fields, have collaborated on a letter to the urge the St. Maarten government to reconsider their reported plans, and instead enact a properly managed sterilisation program, that will effectively and permanently address the concerns surrounding the species continued population growth. These remarkable monkeys' existence on the island is through no fault of their own, and the government must recognise the value of their individual lives. Freedom for Animals, alongside other experts in the animal protection sector, opposes the St. Maarten government’s drastic proposal to kill green monkeys as a means of managing the species population, and we are urging our supporters to sign the petition below to ensure it does not go ahead.  

You can sign onto the petition HERE