A bus driver on the 302 route in Kensal Rise got the shock of his life on Friday morning when he moved a laundry bag out of the aisle and heard chirping. Inside was a terrified female common marmoset, later named Oyster, locked in a small bird cage with only an apple for company. The driver cancelled the service, returned to the Willesden depot, and called the RSPCA. Wildlife campaigners believe the abandonment is directly linked to new legislation requiring all primates kept in England to be licensed.
Common marmosets are small, intelligent primates native to South America. They are social animals that need plenty of space, mental stimulation and appropriate companions — needs that can't be met by human company alone, says RSPCA exotics expert Evie Button. Yet an estimated 5,000 primates are kept as pets in England. The new licensing regime, introduced as an important step forward for animal welfare, aims to ensure these animals are kept in more appropriate conditions. But there is a real concern that keepers who cannot or do not want to license their pet may instead abandon them.
“A monkey found abandoned on a London bus highlights the impact of England's new primate licensing law.”
Oyster was found dehydrated and stressed but given a clean bill of health by a specialist vet. She has since settled into a sanctuary with specialist primate facilities. In a twist of fate, that sanctuary had been looking for a female marmoset to introduce to a lone male — and a planned transfer from northern England fell through just hours before Oyster was rescued. "It looked like destiny," said RSPCA London chief inspector Claire Dew. The RSPCA is now working with the bus company, reviewing CCTV and tap-in logs, to try to trace the person who dumped her.
For UK readers, this story highlights a hidden but pressing animal welfare issue. While owning a primate is not illegal, the new licensing law means owners must meet strict standards or face losing their pet — and some may choose to abandon them rather than comply. Dew warned: "I'd be surprised if it's the last primate we see being dumped." The RSPCA urges anyone struggling to care for a primate to contact specialists or charities rather than abandoning them, which can have tragic consequences. The law aims to improve animal welfare, but its success depends on enforcement and public awareness.
Q: Why would someone abandon a monkey on a bus? A: The introduction of mandatory licences for keeping primates in England means owners must prove they can meet strict welfare standards. Some keepers may abandon their pets rather than go through the licensing process or pay for the required facilities.
Q: Is it legal to own a monkey in the UK? A: Yes, but since the new regulations came into force, all primates kept in England must be licensed. The licence requires owners to provide appropriate housing, diet, social companionship and veterinary care. Uptake of licences has been slow, and around 5,000 primates are still thought to be kept as pets.
Q: What will happen to Oyster now? A: Oyster is being cared for at a specialist primate sanctuary. If she is not claimed by her previous owner — which is unlikely — she will stay there and will soon be introduced to a male marmoset who has been looking for a companion. The RSPCA says she has settled in well and is eating.
The RSPCA investigation continues, with officials examining footage and travel card data to identify the person who left Oyster on the bus. The charity says it expects more such abandonments as the licensing deadline approaches. For now, Oyster's story has a hopeful ending — but it raises serious questions about the 5,000 other primates living in private homes across England.