BY REBECCA ADAMS

A PETITION demanding improved welfare for primates kept as pets in the UK collected 110,764 signatures from campaigners.

If its recommendations are followed, it will set higher standards for the physical and psychological needs of monkeys.

Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset has rescued 100 monkeys from the UK pet trade since 1987 and is now full with a waiting list.

Half of the monkeys at the centre have been rescued in the last five years.

Director of Monkey World, Dr Alison Cronin, said that it is “tragic and out of control”.

The petition also demands care for primates such as indoor heating, climbing frames, vital vitamins and access to specialist veterinarians.

Worryingly, 66 species of monkey do not require a licence or registration to be kept as pets, meaning that parts of the UK pet trade can take advantage of potential owners wanting a primate in their home by not handing over the correct vital care information.

Videos and photos of house-kept monkeys are often shared on social media sites captioned with titles like “I want a pet monkey” .

To the large majority of us, primates are perceived as our closest relatives in the natural world.

However, it is becoming more common to find these creatures receiving less care than they average pet cat or dog.