Cali, Colombia - October 29, 2024 In a powerful demonstration at the COP16 biodiversity conference, advocates from PETA Latino, Animal Defenders International, Conexión Animal, and Federación de Liberación Animal have called for an immediate halt to the export of monkeys to laboratories. Wearing striking masks that represent various monkey species snatched from their forest homes, the activists protested outside the UN conference, which attracts government leaders from countries where such practices are rampant. Nations including Barbados, Cambodia, Colombia, Indonesia, and Vietnam were represented, each linked to the troubling trade in primates for biomedical research. PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo emphasized the urgent need for change, stating, “COP16 attendees must agree to safeguard all the planet’s inhabitants, including the monkeys who are abducted from their natural habitat.” She urged government leaders to prioritize animal welfare by shifting to humane, animal-free research methods instead. The stark reality for these monkeys is grim: once captured, they are packed into small crates, transported under horrific conditions, and subjected to painful experimentation. Advocates argue that these practices not only violate animal rights but also undermine the ethical obligations of scientific research. As the conference continues, calls for action to protect these sentient beings grow louder.