A female common marmoset was found concealed in a laundry bag aboard a London bus in Kensal Rise on Friday by a passenger. The animal, subsequently named Oyster, was in a cage within the bag and showed signs of stress and dehydration. Bus staff contacted the RSPCA, which has since placed the monkey in a sanctuary with specialized facilities.
New legislation that took effect in April requires all primates kept in England to be licensed and microchipped. Owners failing to comply by the April 6 deadline faced potential unlimited fines or imprisonment. The government estimates approximately 5,000 primates are currently kept as pets in England. The RSPCA documented 238 reports of primate neglect and cruelty between 2021 and 2025.
Animal welfare experts have expressed concern that the licensing requirement may prompt some owners to abandon their animals rather than comply. Clare Dew, chief investigator for RSPCA London, characterized the marmoset’s abandonment as intentional and “a direct result of the new legislation.” The monkey had not been microchipped and was left with only apple for sustenance. Authorities are investigating to identify the person responsible.
However, some officials involved in developing the regulations cautioned against drawing immediate conclusions. Alison Cronin, director of Monkey World and a contributor to the legislation, noted that abandonment of primates is not new and reflects longstanding issues with irresponsible ownership. She acknowledged that many owners have since obtained required licenses. Born Free’s captivity research manager emphasized that the new regulations, while not a complete ban, represent an important protection measure but require effective implementation and strict enforcement to succeed.