Ricky Gervais Joins BUAV Appeal to Airlines to Stop Monkey Shipments

LONDON, May 23, 2011 -

Ricky Gervais has joined the BUAV's Cargo Cruelty campaign and spoken out
against airlines that transport monkeys destined for the research industry.

Ricky Gervais said:

"I was shocked to learn that some airlines transport monkeys to
laboratories around the world. I support the BUAV's Cargo Cruelty campaign
and urge these airlines to take a compassionate stance and say no to monkey
shipments."

The international trade in primates for research inflicts great suffering
on many thousands of monkeys every year. The BUAV's campaign highlights the
key role passenger airlines play in this chain of misery, by transporting
monkeys from supply facilities in countries such as Mauritius, Vietnam,
Barbados, St Kitts, China and Cambodia, for laboratories around the world
where they will suffer and most will die in experiments.

Cruelty and suffering are an intrinsic part of this trade. Some monkeys
are taken from the wild; others are the offspring of wild-caught individuals
forced into captivity for breeding. All are torn from their family groups,
packed on their own into small wooden crates and shipped as cargo, usually on
extremely long journeys for laboratories in the UK, USA, Europe and Japan.
Monkeys are highly sensitive animals and such treatment and conditions are
very stressful for them. They may become ill or even die in transit. Delays,
poor ventilation, noise and temperature fluctuations can add to their misery.

The BUAV has been influential in persuading an increasing number of
airlines to take a stance to dissociate themselves from this cruelty. Now
only a small number of passenger airlines continue to be involved in this
ugly business.

Sarah Kite, BUAV's Director of Special Projects, said: "We are delighted
to have Ricky's support for our campaign. We know that holidaymakers and
business passengers alike will be shocked to learn that monkeys may be
imprisoned in crates on their flight, literally below their feet. The BUAV is
calling on all airlines to refuse to be part of this chain of misery. We urge
people to not book flights with any airline that transports monkeys destined
for the research industry and let the airlines know why."

For further information and a list of those airlines which DO and DO NOT
transport primates, please visit: www.buav.org/cargocruelty

For further information and images, please contact: fleur.dawes@buav.org
or +44(0)7850-510955 or +44(0)207-6196978

.