The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has made a significant decision regarding the conservation status of long-tailed macaques. On October 7, 2024, the USFWS declined a petition submitted by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other advocacy groups to list long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This decision followed a thorough review by the USFWS, which concluded that the petition lacked sufficient evidence to support the claim that long-tailed macaques face threats that would warrant their listing as an endangered species.
The USFWS’s decision is based on the lack of credible information demonstrating impacts to long-tailed macaque populations or the species as a whole. The petition did not provide evidence of threats, either individually or cumulatively, that would necessitate a listing under the ESA.
It’s important to note that long-tailed macaques play a crucial role in biomedical research worldwide. Due to their close biological similarity to humans, these monkeys have been instrumental in developing six of the top 25 most widely prescribed medications. Research involving long-tailed macaques has also been pivotal in advancements in regenerative medicine, immunology, cancer treatments, vaccine development, and pharmacology.
This decision by the USFWS follows a recent move by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to reconsider the ‘Endangered’ status of long-tailed macaques. This reevaluation was prompted by a petition from the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), which argued that the IUCN’s listing decision was based on inaccurate scientific data. The NABR’s petition successfully demonstrated that the 2022 review by Hansen et al., which underpinned the IUCN’s decision, misrepresented existing scientific data.
Moreover, a separate petition filed by Dr. Hank Jenkins, currently pending before the IUCN, alleges that the authors of the Hansen et al. (2022) review have conflicts of interest that warrant further investigation by the IUCN.
In response to the USFWS decision, Matthew R. Bailey, president of NABR, stated that the organization is pleased with the agency’s decision to decline the petition, as it reflects a commitment to using the best available scientific information.
“Available scientific information clearly shows that this species is not at risk and does not warrant a further status review. NABR looks forward to working with USFWS to ensure the integrity of its scientific processes,” Bailey said.
The conservation status of long-tailed macaques and PETA’s involvement in government programs recently became the subject of a U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Committee hearing in September 2024. Witnesses at the hearing testified that PETA and other animal advocacy groups had engaged in improper attempts to influence government investigations of private parties and foreign governments for political reasons.
The USFWS’s decision to decline the petition to list long-tailed macaques as endangered highlights the importance of using rigorous scientific evidence in making conservation decisions. It also underscores the critical role that these animals continue to play in advancing biomedical research and improving human health.
