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Poaching Crisis: Spider Monkeys Targeted for Pet Trade

10/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Poachers in southern Mexico capture baby spider monkeys to sell as pets in the United States.
Nearly 90 monkeys have been confiscated at the Texas-Mexico border in the past 18 months.
The trade is fueled by viral videos glamorizing these animals as pets.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Jim Stinebaugh warns the trade threatens spider monkeys' survival.
Stinebaugh urges the public not to purchase these animals to help prevent extinction.

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Story summary

Poachers in southern Mexico capture baby spider monkeys to sell as pets in the United States.
Nearly 90 monkeys have been confiscated at the Texas-Mexico border in the past 18 months.
The trade is fueled by viral videos glamorizing these animals as pets.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife agent Jim Stinebaugh warns the trade threatens spider monkeys' survival.
Stinebaugh urges the public not to purchase these animals to help prevent extinction.