Monkey Business – Cambodia has eight macaque farms!
Cambodia has eight macaque farms with the Kingdom having issued licenses to 7 private companies operating farms that raise and breed macaque for export.
The crab-eating macaque, also known as the long-tailed macaque is a common sight when traveling around Cambodia with them even being seeing walking around Phnom Penh (we have the videos). From the numbers it would also appear that monkey business is also big business within the Kingdom.
Cambodia has eight macaque farms – where are they?
The companies are currently operating 8 farms throughout Cambodia in Phnom Penh, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Kampong Speu, Pursat, and Kampong Chhaing,
There is estimated to be as many as 78000 macaques in the 8 legal farms, with the ability to “produce” 6000 babies per month.
A senior official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries was quoted as saying that most of the companies (although not all) had received their licenses to breed the long-tailed macaque prior to 2000.
The official was keen to state that “They can feed them, research, breed, and even export the monkeys, but only in their farms, not in their natural habitats”. The farms are therefore not allowed to capture monkeys in the wild, although with the trade as valuable as it is, it is impossible to know if this is actually the case.
Illegal trading in the Macaque
Whilst strictly banned by the government the illegal trading in the animals remains lucrative to nasty poachers.
A source involved in the conservation of the primate, who wished to remain anonymous stating “The illegal trade has slowed since lockdown and the closure of borders, but is still very much in existence”
To read about seeing rare wild Gibbons in Cambodia click here
How much are Macaque Farms worth to the Cambodian economy?
On April 30th Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Veng Sakhon shared on his social media that in the first 4 months of 2021 Cambodia had exported 7,728
macaques. With the total value being more than $6.32 million.
The social media post caused controversy among netizens, but also underlined how huge the market is to Cambodia. To give some perspective it is worth more than three times the amount of pigs and cattle sold during the same period.
During the first 4 months of 2021 Cambodia exported 1,540 cattle (cows/buffalo) valued at $1.43 million and 600 pigs worth around $390,000.
There are no public records about which countries the crab-easting macaque are exported to, although according to the same official most are sent to Vietnam, from where they are sold on to third countries, principally China.
Macaque Farms and the Covid Vaccine
Due to their resemblance to humans the animals are particularly sought out for research and testing. The primate has been specifically used in numerous trials for COVID-19 vaccines. Under Trump the US imposed tariffs on their import from China, which caused controversy, not due to cruelty, but due to the alleged monkey shortage that it caused to US medical labs.
To read about which countries are open to travel click here.
Aside from humans, the macaques are the most widespread primate genus and have a long history of living alongside humans. Despite its mischievous nature, and reputation as an agricultural pest the animal is not only worshipped by some, but seen as a symbol of Cambodia.
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Author: Adam Reeves
An avid traveler and telecommunications expert, Adam has explored over 25 countries, immersing himself in their cultures to discover the best they offer. His passion for connecting people extends from his professional life to his adventures abroad.
