The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has recommended suspending the trade of endangered Cambodian long-tailed macaques due to concerns over wildlife laundering. The CITES secretariat suggests the ban remain in place until Cambodian authorities implement measures to prevent wild monkeys from being funneled through breeding facilities.

Investigations revealed discrepancies in Cambodia’s reported breeding rates, with captive macaque birth rates deemed biologically implausible. CITES highlighted that wild specimens may have been regularly introduced to sustain high reproduction levels. Cambodia has until January 30, 2026, to respond, with a final decision expected at the CITES meeting in Geneva on February 4.

Cambodia exported over 300,000 live macaques between 2004 and 2023, primarily to the United States. Animal rights groups say the ban could significantly impact the biomedical research industry, which relies heavily on these primates for testing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the species as endangered in 2022, citing wild capture as a key factor in their decline.

---