We’re huge fans of playtime, but Kim Kardashian’s latest IG story got us heated. The social media star shared a video of two marmosets playing with her children.
.@KimKardashian and her kids playing with common marmoset monkeys. ? pic.twitter.com/EzNKbYW1sR
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 5, 2018
Kim and her sister Kourtney also got camera-ready and snapped photos with the exotic animals.
Onverantwoord en behoorlijk dom: Kim & Kourtney #Kardashian knuffelen met witoorpenseelaapjes op Instagram. Hiermee promoten ze #wildlifeselfies en de wrede handel in primaten. #notapet #deelhetniet https://t.co/qOzYYoVO59 pic.twitter.com/V9eCr5XUcE
— Stichting AAP (@stichting_aap) August 10, 2018
The Monkey Trade = Animal Abuse
The Kardashian clan’s latest act is extremely harmful to monkeys and other exotic animals. And private ownership of monkeys is illegal in California, so if these are privately owned, that’s a real concern. Plus, forcing a monkey to live in a house can easily lead to malnutrition, loneliness, and extreme stress caused by an unnatural environment.
Exotic Animals Shouldn’t Be Used for Photo Ops
Sadly, animals have gotten seriously injured or even been killed for shameless photo ops. When humans use them as props, frightened or captured animals suffer needlessly.
Tiny dolphin dies after being passed around on Argentine beach for photographs https://t.co/ILJQyCtQ5F pic.twitter.com/YORX548IAA
— CTV News (@CTVNews) February 18, 2016
Sea animals like dolphins and sharks have been dragged from the ocean and left in the hot sun so that people can take selfies with them. Last year, a dolphin was killed on a beach in Argentina after a mob of tourists pulled the animal out of the ocean to use in pictures.
Baby tigers also endure extreme abuse. They’re torn away from their mothers shortly after birth so that tourists can take photos with them. These cubs deal with extreme stress and sometimes even physical abuse. They’re normally shipped off to roadside zoos when they become too large for the “perfect” photo op.
We love that Kim has upgraded her wardrobe by ditching animal fur and taking up fashionable faux-fur coats, but her recent behavior is unacceptable. No photo is worth threatening the safety and well-being of any animal. Period.
What You Can Do to Help
Please don’t follow the Kardashians’ lead—in this case, “monkey see” shouldn’t equal “monkey do.” Taking fun photos should never involve cruelty to animals.
If an animal appears to be injured or in distress or if you see a person harassing any animal, please contact your local authorities immediately. If they don’t respond, contact PETA.