how you can help
1) Write a letter.
2) Have you visited St. Kitts & Nevis? Do you have a business on the islands? Please get in touch with us! (read below)
Tourism is the key to economic growth for St. Kitts & Nevis. Tourists, as well as hotels, tour companies and other businesses that rely on tourism, have a strong voice in shaping government policies.
We are not calling for a boycott of St. Kitts & Nevis. On the contrary, we want you to visit the islands (we wish we were there right now), but also to speak out against the cruel primate trade and urge your hotel, tour operator, etc. to do the same.
It is our hope that ethical travelers, hotels and other tourism-related
businesses on St. Kitts & Nevis will use their influence to convince the government to halt the export of monkeys.
The government of St. Kitts & Nevis has a choice. Will the islands be known for uncrowded beaches, fantastic golf courses, historic sites and lush rainforests, or will they be known as one of a small number of nations that export wild monkeys for use in research and testing. Which industry is more important to the future of St. Kitts & Nevis?
It would not be unprecedented for St. Kitts & Nevis to ban the export of monkeys for research. India banned the export of monkeys for use in research in 1978. Bangladesh followed suit in 1979. Malaysia banned monkey
exports in 1984. In 2009, after an international campaign by animal rights
activists, the government of Nepal cancelled plans to breed and export monkeys for biomedical research.
1) Write to the Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, and to the Premier of Nevis, and politely ask for a ban on the export of monkeys destined for the research industry. (Mailing addresses; postage is $0.98 from the U.S.)
The Honorable Dr. Denzil L. Douglas
Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis
Government Headquarters
Church Street, Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: erasmus.williams@cuopm.com
(Erasmus Williams, Press Secretary To The Prime Minister)
The Honorable Joseph W. Parry
Premier of Nevis and Minister of Tourism
Bath Hotel
Belle Vue, Charlestown
Nevis
e-mail: premier@niagov.com, premmin@nia.gov.kn, mintour@nia.gov.kn
- - sample letter - -
"Dear Honorable Prime Minister/Premier ____:
Each year, hundreds of vervet monkeys on St. Kitts and Nevis are torn from their families and forest homes and exported to laboratories around the world. Once wild and free, these sensitive and intelligent animals end their lives in laboratories where pain and suffering are routine. I urge you to ban the export of monkeys destined for the research industry.
I understand that there are conflicts between humans and monkeys on St. Kitts and Nevis, but there are ways of managing this situation without resorting to export or killing.
Please consider the impact that this continued trade will have upon the international reputation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Thank you,"
*If you have visited St. Kitts & Nevis, or if you are considering a future trip, please mention that when you write!
Send a copy of your letter to the St. Kitts & Nevis Minister of Tourism and to the national tourism agencies for St. Kitts and Nevis.
Hon. Richard Skerritt
Minister of Tourism & International Transport
Government of St. Kitts & Nevis
P.O. Box 878
Building 9
Port Zante, Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: ricky.skerritt@stkittstourism.kn, minister@stkittstourism.kn
Rosecita Jeffers, CEO
St. Kitts Tourism Authority
Pelican Mall, Bay Road
P.O. Box 132
Basseterre
St. Kitts
e-mail: info@stkittstourism.kn, rosecita.jeffers@stkittstourism.kn
John Hanley, CEO
Nevis Tourism Authority
P.O. Box 184
Main Street, Charlestown
Nevis
e-mail: info@nevisisland.com, john.hanley@sisterisles.kn
2) Have you traveled to St. Kitts and Nevis? Did you see any wild monkeys? We would like to hear from you, see your photographs, and share your impressions of the islands and its wildlife with visitors to this website.
Are you the owner of a business on St. Kitts & Nevis? Are you troubled by the export of monkeys from St. Kitts & Nevis? Please let us know so that we can add your company to our list of animal-friendly businesses on St. Kitts & Nevis. Contact us at the below link.
