A terrified monkey left inside a cage and covered with a laundry bag has been abandoned on a London bus.
The RSPCA was called to rescue the common marmoset after the driver found her on the route 302 bus – travelling between Mill Hill Broadway Station and Kensal Rise – when the bus arrived at Kensal Rise at 11.43am on Friday morning (17 July).
She has since been affectionately nicknamed Oyster – after the London travel card.
RSPCA London Chief Inspector Clare Dew – who is now investigating – said: “A mum got on the bus with her buggy but couldn’t get down the walkway because the laundry bag was sticking out of the luggage bay and blocking the way.
“The driver came to help her and, as he pushed the bag out of the way, the monkey inside started chirping and jumping around. When he peered inside the bag he spotted the frightened marmoset.”
The driver took the monkey back to the Metroline Bus Depot, at Willesden Bus Station, and contacted the RSPCA for help.
The abandonment is feared to be the first of many following new legislation that came into force in April meaning all primates kept in England must be licensed. And while the RSPCA welcomed stricter regulation on keeping pet monkeys, the charity fears insufficient safeguards means irresponsible keepers unable to meet requirements may dump the animals.
RSPCA Exotic Animals Expert Evie Button said: “Primates are highly intelligent and social wild animals who need a lot of space, mental stimulation and appropriate companions – needs that can’t be met by human company alone.
“The introduction of primate licenses in England is an important step forward for animal welfare, helping 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 now instead abandon them.
“With the UK Government estimating 5,000 primates being kept as pets in England and our friends at Born Free reporting very little uptake of the new license system, we’re concerned about what has happened to many of these animals.”
Marmoset settling into new home
Now the RSPCA hopes the public can help officers track down the circumstances behind the shocking abandonment.
Chief Inspector Dew added: “The monkey – a female common marmoset – was inside a small, white, metal bird cage which had been wrapped inside a plastic, chequered laundry bag, with handles, so was well concealed. She’d been left with some apple but was, understandably, very stressed and dehydrated.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to the bus driver and the team at Metroline who stayed calm, took the monkey back to their station, put her somewhere dark and cool, to keep her calm, and contacted us for help.
“They’ve been incredibly helpful and are now assisting with our enquiries so we can trace the person responsible for dumping her.
“No one noticed anything unusual on the bus before the monkey was discovered but we’ll be looking at CCTV and the logs for scanning on and off the bus to see if we can locate the person who left her onboard. It was clearly intentional.
“This is clearly a direct result of the new legislation and is something we feared would happen. I’d be surprised if it’s the last primate we see being dumped.
“But what we would say to anyone who is struggling to care for a pet or who cannot get a licence for any primate they have, please speak to specialists, vets or charities, don’t abandon them as it can have tragic consequences.”
The marmoset was seen by a specialist exotics vet for a check-up but, thankfully, was given a clean bill of health. She was not microchipped.
The RSPCA is now investigating and would like to hear from any members of the public who may have seen someone board the bus with the laundry bag to contact the appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Oyster is now settling into a new home at a sanctuary with specialist facilities for primates and she will soon be introduced to a new male companion who had been looking for a friend.
Chief Inspector Dew added: “In a twist of fate, a sanctuary had been working with us to find a suitable female marmoset to introduce to a lone male they were caring for.
“We were hoping to transfer one from the north of England but, when that fell through just a few hours before Oyster was rescued, it looked like destiny that Oyster was supposed to go there.
“She’s settled in really well over the weekend, and is eating well, so hopefully she’ll be able to meet her new friend soon. If she isn’t claimed then she’ll remain there with experienced keepers, a wonderful enclosure and company.”
Concerns for primates as pets
The RSPCA warned that thousands of primates could be at risk of abandonment, or face being kept secretly in illegal conditions, amid reports of limited compliance with the new licensing laws for primate keepers.
The new regulations mean all private primate keepers must hold a valid licence, and ensure animals are kept in conditions that meet their complex welfare needs.
The charity fears this means large numbers of pet monkeys will either be being kept in poor conditions incompatible with the new licenses – or face being dumped by owners unwilling to comply.
RSPCA data shows that, between 2021 and 2025, rescuers dealt with 238 reports of primate neglect and cruelty – highlighting the significant welfare challenges faced by primates kept in domestic environments.
Evangeline added: “Ultimately we believe primates should not be kept as pets. We want to see a future where monkeys are no longer kept in homes, but protected in environments that truly meet their needs.”
It comes as the RSPCA launches its Cruelty Hurts Love Rescues fundraising campaign at its busiest time, with cruelty reports spiking over the summer months.
New statistics show, in June, July and August last year, the RSPCA received 6,322 cruelty calls to their emergency line; one call every 10 minutes when the line is open, compared to 3,852 calls for the same period in 2021 – showing a massive 64% increase in just five years.