One Ethical Conundrum Here
Monkeys are highly clever and sociable, can create intricate emotional ties, and act similarly to humans. However, popular monkey videos' production and distribution can also entail moral lapses. Many of these monkeys have their habitats invaded, and they are taken prisoner against their will and split from their families. Stress and trauma related to these kinds of events can cause significant mental and physical problems for animals.
Health Issues and Zoonotic Infections
Numerous zoonotic diseases—diseases passed from animals to humans—are known to be carried by monkeys. Particularly in artificial environments, humans' proximity to monkeys increases the likelihood of disease transmission. Some monkey species have the Herpes B virus, which can infect humans. Viral videos featuring casual handling and personal contact could mislead viewers into real-life dangerous activities.
Issues with Conservation
The market for adorable and engaging monkey videos drives illicit animal trade. As shown in these viral contents, the great demand for baby monkeys results in consequences, including poaching and environmental damage. Consequently, whole ecosystems are upset, and monkey numbers are at risk. Viewers unintentionally help to reduce the wild monkey count by supporting these harmful practices by sharing and appreciating such material.
Errors and Conventions
Viral videos can help disseminate false information about monkey behavior and needs. People can wrongly think that, while living in cages, monkeys are either healthy or capable of magic acts. Those with this false perception run the danger of mistreating and neglecting the animals if they try to keep monkeys as pets, compromising their welfare.
Legal Consequences
The law in several nations’ controls owning and employing monkeys for profit. Sometimes, material makers find themselves in legal hot water for breaking these rules, as when they make and distribute films including captive monkeys. Furthermore, if public uproar against animal cruelty rises, social media channels could be under more pressure to censor and edit material supporting the practice.
Encouraging Morally Reasonable Content
From viewers to producers, everyone engaged should be behind moral and ethical content. Rather than distributing, sharing, and reposting that use animals, we should support instructional materials with a conservation focus that emphasizes wild monkeys' natural appeal and behavior. This will then help us mobilize support for preserving these incredible species and their habitats.
How to do it?
Those cute monkey videos that become viral on sites like Instagram and TikTok conceal many grave ethical, health, and environmental problems. You can consume this type of content without affecting them on social media or in rescue centers or sanctuaries. Try to avoid the pet's videos or report them!
By being aware of the products we consume and distribute, we can help to lessen the harmful effects on monkeys and advance a more sympathetic and informed attitude toward animals. Let us responsibly savor the wonders of nature, avoiding supporting the exploitation or suffering of the very species we are looking for. Please share this article if you think it will help others understand this problem.