Illegal trade in Barbary macaques could lead this unique primate species to extinction. Every year, an estimated 200 baby Barbary macaques are stolen from the wild, snatched from their mothers and smuggled mainly from Morocco to Europe, where they are mostly kept as pets.

Isolated, separated from their families and mates at a very early age, the animals suffer and frequently develop aggressive behaviours which lead them to end up confined in cages or abandoned in the streets. That's how we found Juma, the little macaque in the picture, eventually taken in by AAP Rescue Centre for Exotic Animals. 

Sadly, not every trafficked monkey have the same luck as Juma, and many will spend the rest of their days in horrible conditions.

Later this year and in early 2016 the European Union has the opportunity to take measures that could save the species and end the suffering of thousands of animals. The time is now: ask the EU to increase protection for this unique primate and end this cruel trade.

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