PETA protests forced monkey labour

Not monkeying around: Animal rights activists dressed as ‘chained monkeys’ staging a protest outside the Royal Thai Embassy in Makati City, Metro Manila. — Reuters

Members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) called for an end to monkey labour in Thailand’s coconut industry.

The animal rights advocates denounced such animal cruelty during a demonstration outside the Royal Thai Embassy in Makati City.

In a video by Radyo INQUIRER, protesters could be seen clad in striped clothes with chains around them, carrying posters that read: “Thailand: Stop Coconut Industry Monkey Abuse.

“We are here now outside the Thai embassy to let them know that we already know what they are doing in Thailand with the monkeys. They are forcing them to work, climb the coconut tree to pick coconuts for their coconut industry, ” Jana Sevilla, PETA Asia campaigner, said during the interview.

The protest followed PETA’s investigation exposing Thailand’s coconut industry forcing monkeys fitted with tight metal collars to harvest coconuts in plantations.

PETA’s investigation revealed that the nonhuman primate mammals are being chained, isolated from their peers, transported in small cages, and coerced to climb trees and collect coconuts day in and day out. — Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN