Captive Primate Safety Act of 2025

Summary

Prohibits import, export, interstate sale, transport, purchase, acquisition, breeding, or possession of live nonhuman primates defined to include chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, gibbons, lemurs, lorises, tarsiers, galagos, monkeys, and hybrids, subject to limited exceptions. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue implementing regulations within 180 days and makes technical corrections to existing wildlife law text.

• Defines “prohibited primate species” to include most live nonhuman primates and hybrids.
• Makes it illegal to import, export, transport, sell, purchase, acquire, breed, or possess those primates in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to enumerated exceptions.
• Provides a 180-day window for legacy owners to register animals owned before enactment, subject to conditions.
• Allows registered research facilities and similar institutions to possess primates under registration and oversight requirements.
• Requires the Secretary of the Interior to issue implementing regulations within 180 days and preserves enforceability if regulations are late.
• Makes technical and typographical corrections to the Lacey Act and related statutory citations.
• Shifts regulatory burden to federal agencies to define exceptions, registration procedures, and compliance standards.
• Affects pet trade, breeders, transporters, research institutions, sanctuaries, and federal enforcement agencies.