US Agency Rejects Primate Protection Petition for Second Time

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has for a second time rejected a petition filed by PETA and other activist groups seeking to list long-tailed macaques under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This marks the second denial of PETA's petition for this primate species within the last three years.

According to the USFWS, the petition did not contain substantial scientific information requiring further review. The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) argues that such actions by activist groups pose a risk to public health and safety by attempting to obstruct vital medical research.

"We commend the USFWS for their thorough, science-based review," stated Matthew R. Bailey, president of NABR. "Activist groups attempt to use the ESA and other environmental processes to block medical research, which not only endangers public health but also undermines the integrity of these processes when used for political agendas."

Long-tailed macaques are crucial for biomedical research worldwide due to their physiological and biological similarities to humans. They play a vital role in the development and safety testing of numerous modern medicines and treatments, contributing significantly to advancements in areas like regenerative medicine, immunology, and cancer research.