Endangered Monkeys Smuggled to Karachi with Fake Documents Rescued and Moved to Sanctuary
Karachi:Twenty-six endangered monkeys, including species such as marmosets and capuchins, which were brought into Karachi with fake documents, have been rescued and transferred to a sanctuary for their rehabilitation.
In January, customs officials seized the monkeys, which had been smuggled from South Africa through fraudulent documents. These monkeys belong to species at risk of extinction. They were transported under severe conditions, being kept in cramped cages, which led to the death of two monkeys.
The animals were immediately transferred to the Ayesha Chundrigar Foundation (ACF) Animal Rescue, where a special sanctuary was set up for their recovery. Ayesha Chundrigar, the founder of ACF, shared with Geo News that the foundation currently cares for over 1,800 animals that have been rescued, with about 40 animals being brought in daily.
Chundrigar emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “We had to make special arrangements overnight for the monkeys’ care. Here, we are providing them with all the necessary facilities.” She further added that these monkeys are at risk of extinction, and their eventual return to their natural habitat in the wild is essential.
**Celebrity Support for Conservation Efforts**
Famous actress and ACF supporter, Saniya Saeed, also spoke about the importance of returning the animals to their natural homes. “Keeping exotic animals is not an achievement; taking them from their natural habitats and placing them in foreign environments where they are exposed to unnatural conditions, such as unsuitable weather and food, is wrong. Our goal is to send them back to their rightful home in the wild.”
The monkeys, who are naturally reclusive and avoid human interaction, are reportedly feeling safer in their new environment. Experts say that this incident highlights the urgent need for stricter measures against illegal wildlife trade.
**Legal and Conservation Efforts**
This case serves as a stark reminder of the growing challenges in wildlife conservation and the need for stronger enforcement of laws against wildlife trafficking. The rescued monkeys are expected to undergo rehabilitation and eventually be reintroduced to their natural habitat.
