Mission

Every year tens of thousands of nonhuman primates are trapped in the wild or captive-bred in terrible conditions, only to suffer and die in laboratories around the globe. Primates destined for research are packed in cramped, poorly ventilated wooden crates and shipped extremely long distances in the cargo holds of airplanes — often passenger flights. In addition to those used in research, thousands more primates are kept in chains or in small cages in roadside zoos, circuses, and in private homes as "pets," where they may languish for years and develop adverse physical as well as psychological conditions.

The More Beautiful Wild campaign aims to eliminate the trade in primates for research, entertainment, and private ownership, and to provide refuge to victims of the primate research, pet, and entertainment industries. The campaign will work toward this goal through:

• Public Education about the cruelty of the primate trade, primate research, and the keeping of primates as "pets" or for use in entertainment.

• Legislation aimed at increasing legal protections for primates exploited by the research, pet, and entertainment industries.

• Consumer boycotts of airlines that transport wild-caught and captive-bred primates for research purposes.

• Providing care and refuge at the API Primate Sanctuary to nonhuman primate victims (macaques, vervets, and baboons) rescued from private ownership, roadside zoos and traveling shows, and research institutions.