Chained ‘Monkeys’ Protest Coconut Industry at Thai Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia
Today, chained PETA “monkeys” dressed in prison suits protested outside the Royal Thai Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia to call on the ambassador to use his influence to end the use of monkey labor in Thailand’s coconut industry by companies like Chaokoh.
The protest follows PETA’s investigation, which exposed that monkeys in Thailand are chained, isolated from their peers, transported in small cages, and forced to climb trees and collect coconuts day in and day out. The animals show signs of severe mental distress.
PETA’s investigators found cruelty to monkeys on every farm, at every monkey-training facility, and in every coconut-picking contest that used monkey labor. When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies. Many displayed repetitive behavior indicative of extreme mental anguish, including one monkey who chewed on one of his own limbs. One coconut farmer confirmed that when monkeys are terrified and try to defend themselves, handlers may have their teeth pulled out.
After being alerted to the situation, more than 26,000 stores around the world have pledged not to sell coconut products obtained through monkey labor.
Take Action for Chained, Abused Monkeys
Help monkeys by never buying Chaokoh coconut milk or the brand’s other exploitative coconut products. Make sure the coconut milk that you buy only comes from companies that don’t support forced monkey labor.
