Cruelty Free International is appealing to UK holiday companies to help protect primates on the island, which is one of the world’s largest traders in monkeys for experiments.

The appeal has already resulted in Thomas Cook contacting Abta - and according to the campaign group - act on behalf of the UK tourism industry to discuss concerns about the monkey export trade with the government.

Abta says a number of other travel firms, including Thomson and First Choice, Virgin and Kuoni are also currently in talks with it.
 
Travel companies have previously acted on concerns about animal welfare expressed by holidaymakers, with some companies taking steps to boycott the cruel treatment of animals in certain countries.
 
Cruelty Free International said no legislation currently exists to protect the monkeys of Mauritius, although the species is listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
 
Tens of thousands of monkeys, many of whom were captured from the wild, are held in large facilities across the island.

The monkeys and their young are exported overseas in small wooden crates, as cargo on airlines.
 
Cruelty Free International chief executive, Michelle Thew, said: “We are delighted Thomas Cook has raised this important issue with Abta and urge the association to put pressure on the Mauritius government.

“The international reputation of Mauritius as a paradise for tourists can only be tarnished by its association with this cruel trade in monkeys; a trade which is economically insignificant to the country compared with tourism.    
 
“We urge travel companies to use their influence and raise concerns with the Mauritius government to turn the island into a paradise for both holidaymakers and monkeys.”