A recent report by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the World Wildlife Fund has uncovered a disturbing trend: more than 1,600 live primates were listed for sale on U.S. social media platforms over a six-week period in mid-2025. The platforms involved include Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
How Sellers Evade Platform Bans
Sellers have found ways to circumvent platform policies by disguising commercial transactions as “rehoming” or “adoption” efforts. The 12 documented species, including macaques and marmosets, were priced between $250 and $6,500. Many of the advertised primates were infants, often stolen from their mothers in the wild. This practice causes severe trauma or death during smuggling and contributes to the 60 percent of primate species globally threatened with extinction.
Response from Tech Companies
TikTok and Google, which owns YouTube, have stated that they prohibit wildlife trafficking and have taken action against such listings. However, experts warn that the accessible online market fuels animal cruelty, biodiversity loss, zoonotic diseases, and other illicit crimes. Wildlife trafficking is now ranked among the top black markets worldwide.
Recommendations to Combat the Trade
The report recommends passing the federal Captive Primate Safety Act. It also urges social media companies to expand prohibited content policies and improve detection and reporting tools. Additionally, the report calls for increased funding and specialized personnel for state and federal enforcement agencies to combat this digital trade effectively.
The findings highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations and enforcement to protect primates and prevent further exploitation through online platforms.
