US Agency Denies Endangered Species Act Protection for Long-Tailed Macaques for Second Time

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has again denied a petition seeking federal protection for long-tailed macaques under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The rejection, issued on July 14, 2026, marks the second time in three years that the agency has declined to grant a petition submitted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other advocacy groups.

USFWS stated that the petition lacked sufficient scientific evidence to warrant a formal review for listing the species. The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) welcomed the decision, affirming that the scientific criteria for ESA protection were not met. NABR President Matthew R. Bailey commented that the agency conducted a thorough, science-based review.

Bailey criticized activist groups like PETA for allegedly attempting to use environmental protection laws as a tool to impede medical research. He emphasized the critical role of long-tailed macaques in biomedical studies, including advancements in regenerative medicine, immunology, oncology, and vaccine development.

Long-tailed macaques are widely used in global biomedical research due to their physiological similarities to humans. Their use in preclinical studies is strictly regulated by international and U.S. federal agencies. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently published a review underscoring the macaques' importance in biomedical research.

NABR is committed to advocating for medical research and ensuring that species protection decisions are based on the best available scientific data. The association represents over 280 institutions supporting the humane use of animals in research aimed at advancing human and animal health.