Marmoset Leave Them Alone

South Korean police intercepted a pair of common marmosets being smuggled into the country from their native Thailand. The babies, which could have sold for about US$6,390 each, are now in the care of Korea’s Institute of Ecology.ย Just a reminder that exotic animals belong in their native homes, not ours.

marmosets

Thanks to sender-inner Lisa B.

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16 thoughts on “Marmoset Leave Them Alone

  1. Elaine C Williamson May 20, 2016 / 1:26 pm

    Good for the Institute!

  2. D B May 20, 2016 / 1:35 pm

    Poor critters. BTW, the original article title, “Thai Monkeys Enter Korea Illegally,” is weirdly misleading. Makes it sound like these two were out hiking, got lost, and blundered across the border into South Korea without getting their passports stamped. The article clarifies events, but that headline is just agentlessly odd.

    • Debg May 20, 2016 / 1:48 pm

      Build a wall, dangit!

    • Smartypants May 20, 2016 / 8:32 pm

      Yes, or sneaking ashore in an inflatable raft on a moonless night, like tiny secret agents. Darn marmosets, you just can’t count on them for covert ops.

  3. Ricky's Mom May 20, 2016 / 1:36 pm

    The story is not cute, except for the ending. But the marmosets are very cute indeed. Glad the smugglers were foiled. I wish the marmosets could be repatriated, but at least they’re being well looked after now.

  4. Smartypants May 20, 2016 / 1:42 pm

    “Marmoset…we’d be rescued by kindly Customs agents!”

  5. hilz May 20, 2016 / 3:47 pm

    I KNOW that kidnapping/smuggling/owning these little guys is a huge no-no, and I’d NEVER do it.

    That said… I WANT THEM SO BAD!! Lookit their little teeny monkey faces! Their little teeny monkey hands! Teeny nostrils and chins! Just too damn cute for their own good, literally, unfortunately.

    • beemoused May 20, 2016 / 3:49 pm

      I’m right there with you on both points!!! If they need a new home, I’d be delighted to have them!

  6. Juno May 20, 2016 / 5:07 pm

    You knew it was coming . . . .




    • Not That Mike The Other Mike May 20, 2016 / 5:09 pm



    • Patty May 20, 2016 / 5:30 pm

      I came to the comments because I knew someone would post it. Thanks!

    • sugitomo May 20, 2016 / 7:36 pm

      I was disappointed it wasn’t the first post. :p

    • 6rabbits May 21, 2016 / 8:14 pm

      Would have been very disappointed if someone hadn’t already posted this! Thank you!?

  7. michael May 20, 2016 / 7:36 pm

    Yeah, we’re going to have to get back to you on the finger-keeping.

  8. Duckie May 20, 2016 / 8:49 pm

    I just had a great idea! Caught smugglers should be made to pay the value of their goods to charity. If it’s living beings (animal or human), that money should go towards rehab/repat.

    • JenDeyan May 21, 2016 / 11:28 am

      That is a great idea. That would discourage smuggling more than jail time if you hit them in their wallets.

      I’m glad for a happy ending but it’s sad to think of these little babies being stolen from their momma.

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