Monkey business exposed

Charities rescue marshmallow-addicted pet ape

- By Richard Elias

CHARITIES have revealed how they rescued a marshmallow-addicted, depressed monkey called Steve who was living in a bird cage.

Now, there are calls for the Scottish Government to crack down on the burgeoning trade in exotic wild animals.

Neighbours alerted the Scottish SPCA to the plight of Steve, a young marmoset monkey.

They had spotted the animal sitting in a large bird cage in a living room window in East Lothian.

The four-year-old monkey was underweight but was addicted to sugary marshmallows after being fed them constantly as a treat.

It was stressed from frequent handling.

After six weeks of care, Steve has made a full recovery and was moved to a permanent home in a monkey sanctuary in England.

But his story forms part of a new campaign aimed at highlighting the problems posed by the wild animal pet trade in Scotland.