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ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS

MONTH: September 2007

Monkey traffic heats up in Cambodia

 

Phnom Penh--Masked gunmen on August 19, 2007 removed 52 macaques from the premises of the Angkor Bright company in northern Kampong Thom province, Cambodia, Kampong Svay district deputy police chief Pen Kheng acknowledged three days later to Asia-Pacific News.

Though the raid was the first to become known to the outside world, "This is becoming very common in this district," Pen Kheng said, "and has happened to Angkor Bright and another company, Chen China group," also known as Golden China, "many times lately. So far," he said, "we have no suspects."

Reported Asia-Pacific News, "He declined to say why the company had so many monkeys on its premises, but wildlife officials have previously said they suspect Cambodia is becoming a transit point for primates destined for China and Vietnam, where animal testing is legal, monkey meat is a delicacy, and animal rights protesters are virtually unheard of."

International Primate Protection League founder Shirley McGreal shared with ANIMAL PEOPLE excerpts from e-mails she said were from informants, indicating that some laboratory monkey dealers are selling macaques who were purportedly captive-bred in Cambodia. The monkeys are said to be several years older than those of either the Angkor Bright or Golden China companies, which are the only known Cambodia monkey exporters.