LHC orders sanctuary for smuggled monkeys

LAHORE:

The long search for a permanent sanctuary for the endangered Brazilian monkeys illegally brought into Pakistan earlier this year has taken a decisive turn.

The Lahore High Court LHC) has ruled that the primates cannot be kept in any environment inconsistent with their natural habitat, permanently rejecting a proposal to transfer them to Lahore Zoo. The court directed that the monkeys must instead be relocated to a specialized sanctuary aligned with their ecological needs.

The case was initiated by Environmental and Animal Rights Consultants (EARC), which challenged a federal proposal to shift the monkeys from a private shelter in Karachi to Lahore Zoo. The petition, filed on June 24, 2025, led to an interim stay order, now converted into a permanent ruling.

Petitioner Altamush Saeed argued that Lahore Zoo was unsuitable for such rare and sensitive species due to high mortality rates, poor veterinary facilities, and extreme weather conditions. His concerns were supported by international organizations, including WWF Pakistan.

Justice Khalid Ishaq, after detailed hearings, upheld the stay order and emphasized that the welfare of the animals must take precedence. The Ministry of Climate Change also told the court it did not favor the transfer to Lahore Zoo.

The saga began in January, when customs officials seized 26 monkeys - including marmosets and capuchins — at Karachi Port. The animals, smuggled from South Africa on forged documents, were found crammed in small cages; two died en route. The surviving monkeys were placed in the care of ACF Foundation, a Karachi-based shelter, which made special arrangements for their rehabilitation.

Altamush Saeed hailed the ruling as a milestone, stating: "This is not only about monkeys, but about societal values. The court has sent a clear message that the law will intervene to protect voiceless, endangered creatures from cruelty and neglect." He added that nearly half of the monkeys have already died.