US Agency Denies Endangered Status for Long-Tailed Macaques a Second Time
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has rejected a petition to list long-tailed macaques as endangered for the second time. The agency cited a lack of substantial scientific information justifying the listing.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on July 14, 2026, denied a petition by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other activist groups seeking to list long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
This marks the second denial by USFWS for this primate species within the last three years. The agency concluded that PETA's petition lacked substantial scientific information necessary for further consideration.
Matthew R. Bailey, president of the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), commended the USFWS for its thorough and science-based review. He stated that activist groups attempting to use ESA to obstruct medical research jeopardize human health and societal well-being.
Long-tailed macaques are widely used in biomedical research globally due to their physiological similarities to humans. Their use is strictly regulated. Research involving these macaques has been crucial for advancements in regenerative medicine, immunology, oncology, vaccine development, and pharmacology.
The NABR stated its continued commitment to protecting biomedical research, ensuring that species protection decisions are based on sound scientific data, and preventing environmental processes from being used to advance political agendas.