International Campaign Calls for an End to Air France's Cargoes of Misery

Animal Protection Institute
Monday, 4 June 2001

An international coalition of animal advocates is calling on Air France to stop its cruel trade in primates destined for research. The campaign is being launched today by the Animal Protection Institute (API) in the U.S., the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) in the U.K. and One Voice in Paris. It is supported by animal protection groups around the globe.

As more airlines have suspended the transportation of primates as a result of international public pressure, Air France remains the world's largest carrier of primates for the research trade. In 2000, Air France transported 2,500 primates from the Philippines and Mauritius to the United States, over 1,400 of which were captured from the wild.

Primates are shipped in small wooden crates in the cargo hold. The journeys are long and stressful and can last for up to three days. Cramped conditions, inadequate ventilation, noise and extreme temperature fluctuations can all contribute to suffering and death.

"Air France is one of the few airlines still shipping primates for experiments internationally," says Alan Berger, Animal Protection Institute. "It's time they join the growing number of airlines no longer involved in this cruel trade."

Some facts about Air France and airline primate shipments:

- In May 1997, a nursing female died on board an Air France flight from Indonesia to the U.S. via Paris. Her baby was subsequently deliberately killed. The transportation of pregnant females and those with suckling young is not recommended by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

- In March 1998, one primate was found dead on arrival on board an Air France flight from the Philippines to the U.S.

- In June 1999, 10 monkeys were found dead on arrival on board an Air France flight from Mauritius to the U.S. The cause of death was given as shock as a result of heat stroke.

- Twelve U.S. animal protection organizations representing 9 million Americans, recently signed onto a letter urging Air France to stop primate shipments.

- Airlines that do not transport monkeys include Delta, Northwest Airlines, TWA, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, KLM and China Airlines.

For more information, or to contact Animal Protection Institute, see their website at: www.api4animals.org