US primate trade booming on social media, according to new research

(Washington, D.C, 19 May 2026) A new study reveals the alarming extent to which primates are being traded openly on major social media platforms in the United States.

The report, Primates for Purchase: The Surge in Sales on Social Media in the US, was published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), today. It is the first US-only report that analyses sales of primates via social media.

Across a six-week period in mid-2025, researchers found more than 1,600 primates listed for sale on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with many of these listings found through simple searches such as 'monkey rehoming' or 'adoption.' Many of the species are threatened with extinction in the wild.

Sellers routinely disguised sales-misrepresenting the purchase of pet primates as animal rescue rather than commercial wildlife trade. This allows the trade to remain visible yet undetected from platform restrictions on selling live wildlife.

Social media users advertise a wide range of species, including macaques, capuchins, spider monkeys, marmosets, lemurs, bush babies, and even chimpanzees. Macaques were by far the most prevalent, with hundreds of infants and juveniles appearing in listings.

"The ease with which primates are being bought and sold online should be a wake-up call," said Sara Walker, senior advisor on wildlife trafficking at AZA. "These are complex, long-lived wild animals-not pets-and this growing digital marketplace is fueling demand, causing animals to suffer. This also increases pressure on zoos and sanctuaries that must care for confiscated wildlife-often for the rest of their lives, since most confiscated primates cannot be returned to the wild."

"All you need is a phone and a social media account to buy a primate in the US," said Danielle Kessler, US Country Director of IFAW. "With just the click of a button, well-meaning animal lovers can end up in a criminal pipeline where animals pay the ultimate price. This is an industry that thrives on clicks, cash and cruelty."

"Buying a primate online isn't just about one animal-it fuels the killing of mothers, the loss of future generations, and the dangerous myth that primates belong as pets," says Crawford Allan, WWF Vice President, Nature Crimes and Policy Advocacy. "A seemingly harmless purchase is often the final link in a well-organized criminal chain that undermines wild populations and is neither safe nor legal-let's get state and federal enforcement agencies the cyber crime specialists and funding they need to tackle this insidious enterprise."

The study found:

• 1,131 online posts from 122 social media users advertised 1,614 individual live primates for sale.
• Twelve primate taxa were represented, including macaques, capuchins, marmosets, spider monkeys, tamarins, squirrel monkeys, vervets, lemurs, bush babies, chimpanzees, howler monkeys, and owl monkeys.
• Macaques were the most listed (839 individuals), followed by marmosets (293) and capuchins (275).
• Prices ranged widely-from $250 to $6,500, depending on species, age and rarity.

The study draws on online monitoring, expert interviews, media analysis, and collaboration with major tech companies, revealing a thriving digital trade that poses serious risks to wildlife conservation, public health, and ecosystem stability.

Nearly 75% of the world's primate species are threatened with extinction, and the research notes that a significant number of primates for sale online are infants - often taken from their mothers in the wild. People are falsely led to believe that infant primates will bond more readily with humans. Sadly, many of these primates suffer lifelong trauma or die before they ever reach the buyer due to the harsh and dangerous smuggling conditions.

Wildlife trafficking is part of the global $23 billion illicit wildlife trade, which consistently ranks among the top five black markets alongside drugs, firearms, and human trafficking. Primates are increasingly smuggled into the U.S., including across the Mexican border. Inconsistent or weak legislation makes primate trafficking a "low-risk, high-reward" criminal enterprise.

Ed Newcomer, former Special Agent for the US Fish and Wildlife Service said: "Wild primates are just the latest wild animal put at risk by a combination of ignorant desire and calculated greed. This report highlights the growing problem of primate trafficking in the United States. Now is the time for action to prevent the demise of iconic wild species and to keep the public safe from the diseases and injuries primates can cause."

The report warns that unless urgent action is taken, the growing visibility and accessibility of primates for sale online will continue to fuel demand, harm endangered species, heighten public health risks, and place increasing burdens on zoos and sanctuaries that must care for confiscated animals.

Key recommendations include:

• Strengthening federal laws, including passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act.
• Encouraging the public not to purchase primates or engage with primate "pet" content that drives demand. Helping report primates for sale online through company reporting features.
• Integrating online wildlife trade detection strategies into law enforcement training.
• Social media platforms include all primate species in prohibited content policies and incorporate search terms and circumvention tactics into automated detection efforts.

ENDS

• Link to report
• Link to photos and videos of primates (please use credits at the end of each file name)

Media contacts:

AZA
Sarah Fedele - Vice President, Communications
[email protected]

IFAW
Kirsty Warren - Senior Communication Manager
[email protected]

WWF
Lee Poston - Communications Consultant
[email protected]

Notes to editors:

About Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 254 of the top zoos, aquariums, and related facilities in 12 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit https://www.aza.org.

About International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans, and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we're up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations, and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

About World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
WWF is one of the world's leading conservation organizations, working for 60 years in nearly 100 countries to help people and nature thrive. With the support of 1.3 million members in the United States and more than 5 million members worldwide, WWF is dedicated to delivering science-based solutions to preserve the diversity and abundance of life on Earth, halt the degradation of the environment, and combat the climate crisis. Visit worldwildlife.org to learn more; follow @WWFNews on X, formerly known as Twitter, to keep up with the latest conservation news; and sign up for our newsletter and news alerts here.