Equally hated and beloved reality star Kim Kardashian is currently under fire by animal rights groups after sharing a video via her Instagram Story where she and her kiddies can be seen playing with marmoset monkeys.
Babe.net reports that it is illegal to own a monkey as a pet in California, and the acquiring of a monkey involves killing entire families to obtain the young. Therefore, animal rights campaigners PETA and academics across the U.S. believe that by owning a pet monkey, you are promoting the violent monkey trade.
In the video, Kardashian and her bbs play with several monkeys in the beauty boss’ living room.
Check out the footage below:
Speaking to Babe.net, animal experts described Kim’s video as “appalling” and “irresponsible.”
According to a Professor who the publication interviewed, Professor Erin Vogel, most pet monkeys are snatched from their mother’s who are then shot and killed so their baby can be removed from the wild and sold to customers.
“It is absolutely irresponsible and inappropriate for a celebrity to promote the abuse that these monkeys experience,” Vogel said.
“Exotic animals belong in their natural habitat or in zoos for education purposes – not as pets. Most primates in general are very social, and to separate them from their social group setting is irresponsible and cruel. Celebrities should spend more time promoting the conservation of the endangered habitats of these animals instead of taking ‘cute’ pictures or videos for Instagram. It is appalling.”
Major animal rights group PETA also slammed Kardashian’s actions. PETA’s Director of Captive Animal Law Enforcement Brittany Peet said:
“Marmosets should be jumping from tree to tree, playing with one another, and raising their offspring in large, tight-knit social groups. PETA urges families to steer clear of exhibitors that drag wild animals around town for this type of misguided stunt.”
Kardashian has yet to comment on the backlash.
