[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9183-S9184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. JEFFORDS (for himself, Mr. Chafee, Mr. Lieberman, and Mr. 
        Lautenberg):
  S. 1509. A bill to amend the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 to add non-
human primates to the definition of prohibited wildlife species; to the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the ``Captive 
Primate Safety Act of 2005''. I am joined by Senators Chafee, Lieberman 
and Lautenburg.
  Non-human primates in homes and communities pose serious risks to 
public health and safety. An attack in March of this year on a 
California man by chimpanzees who escaped their confinement is only one 
example of how dangerous these animals can be. A 13-year-old girl was 
attacked in West Virginia in May and on July 12th a 20-year-old man was 
attacked by two monkeys in Ohio.
  Not only can non-human primates cause serious injury, they can spread 
potentially life-threatening illnesses. Since 1975, Federal regulations 
have forbidden the import of monkeys and other non-human primates as 
pets due to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concerns about diseases 
such as

[[Page S9184]]

monkeypox, yellow fever, Marburg/Ebola disease, tuberculosis, and other 
diseases not yet known or recognized.
  Nevertheless, there is still a vigorous trade in these animals, with 
as many as 15,000 primates held in private hands across America 
according to some estimates. State laws that seek to regulate primates 
as pets are undermined by the interstate commerce of these animals. 
Federal legislation is needed to better support safety regulations of 
the CDC and the states.
  Infant primates may seem cute and cooperative, but they inevitably 
grow larger, stronger, and more aggressive. They may become many times 
stronger than humans and extremely difficult to handle. They can 
inflict serious harm by biting and scratching. Removing their teeth, as 
many pet owners do, is cruel and not a safeguard against injury. About 
100 people reportedly have been injured by non-human primates over the 
past ten years, including 29 children.
  This legislation amends the Lacey Act to prohibit transporting 
monkeys, great apes, (including chimpanzees and orangutans), marmosets, 
lemurs, and other non-human primates across State lines for the pet 
trade, much like the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, which passed 
unanimously in 2003, did for tigers and other big cats.
  The legislation is narrowly crafted to get at the heart of the 
dangerous problem of keeping primates as pets. It has no impact on the 
trade or transportation of animals for federally licensed facilities, 
universities or accredited wildlife sanctuaries. It will not affect 
zoos or research facilities. Federal licenses or registration are 
required for all commercial activity, such as breeders, dealers, 
research institutions, exhibitors, and transporters, therefore, they 
are exempt. The prohibitions in the Lacey Act only apply in other 
situations, that is, in the pet trade.
  This legislation is supported by more than 40 groups, including the 
Humane Society of the United States, the American Zoo and Aquarium 
Association, the American Veterinary Medical Association, Defenders of 
Wildlife and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and will work our 
partners in the House to enact the Captives Primate Safety Act.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                S. 1509

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Captive Primate Safety Act 
     of 2005''.

     SEC. 2. ADDITION OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES TO THE DEFINITION OF 
                   PROHIBITED WILDLIFE SPECIES.

       Section 2(g) of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 
     3371(g)) is amended by inserting ``or any non-human primate'' 
     before the period at the end.
                                 ______