To put it simply, you can’t adopt a monkey in India to keep it as a pet. And this law is applicable to every individual in the country, no matter in which state you live. But that doesn’t mean that this is the only way to help out monkeys in India, there are other ways too. And if you want to know more about this, just keep on reading. Here we go.
Legal Stuff You Need to Know
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 extends legal protection to wild animals in India, including monkeys. All wild animals are considered protected species unless they are declared to be protected species or anything like that by the central government. It is illegal to capture, possess, and trade in monkeys without special permission from the authorities. The goal of the Wildlife Protection Act is to stop illegal wildlife trade and conserve species. Secondly, the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 also provides legal protection to animals. It prohibits unnecessary pain and suffering to animals, and keeping a monkey pet is not legal under this act. So, in principle, you legally can’t adopt a monkey by taking it to your home and keeping it as a pet.
If you still want to take the monkey home, you have to get what is known as a Wildlife Ownership Certificate from your local forest department. The application process is strict, and the guidelines laid out are very clear: you have to prove that you have an adequate place for the monkey and the knowledge and experience to keep the monkey properly.
Think About It Ethically
You must understand one thing before you keep a monkey as a pet. You see, monkeys are social animals, just like us Humans, and that’s why keeping a monkey captivated can lead to developing a series of behavioral problems and stress for the animal and also can cause psychological problems. When we remove a monkey from its natural habitat we must take into consideration the ethics involved in this act. Instead of owning one, why not support conservation? Help organizations that rescue and rehab monkeys, it’s a much kinder way to go.
The Practical Side Of Things
And yes, taking care of a monkey can be legally complex as well as very involved practically. Monkeys need to be housed properly, fed correctly and be seen by a vet on a regular basis. They also have to be mentally and physically stimulated socially and physically to stay happy and healthy. You must keep in mind that monkeys can also carry diseases that can spread to humans, so hygiene is a big deal. They are a potential source of zoonotic disease that can be passed from monkeys to humans. All in all, taking care of a monkey as a pet isn’t cheap, you must spend a lot on these things to take care of your pet properly, especially if it is a monkey, you know?
Better Alternatives
See, if you care deeply about helping monkeys, there are ethical alternatives other than just owning or keeping a monkey as a pet. Many organizations offer virtual adoption programs. Such programs enable you to support the care of a monkey without keeping the animal as a pet. The money you put in can buy food, medical care, and other essentials for the monkeys, so everything you donate goes towards providing the creature with a safe habitat. There are well-known organizations in India like the Primate Trust India, for example, which is out there doing good work like providing life-long care for rescued, orphaned, abused, and injured primates. Supporting sanctuaries like theirs would ensure that rescued animals would have good care, and the money would go towards conservation.
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