Two marmoset monkeys have been rescued from a property after being found in poor living conditions in a home.
West Yorkshire Police, Kirklees Animal Health and the RSPCA executed a warrant at the property after a tip-off about the monkeys’ welfare.
Wildlife crime officer PC CJ Newsome said: "Wildlife crime policing isn’t always about badgers, birds of prey and our native wildlife.
She continued: "Following a concerning tip-off about the conditions in which two marmoset monkeys were being kept, myself and 3 fab colleagues, Louise, Brandon and Ash, from Heckmondwike, assisted Kirklees Animal Health team last week in executing a warrant at a property."
Well done to PC Newsome who is dedicated to helping wildlife in West Yorkshire!
Inside, PC Newsome and her colleagues found two marmosets: a male, and a female that was believed to be pregnant.
The monkeys’ conditions raised “serious concerns” for their welfare.
'Marmosets might look incredibly cute'
PC Newsome added: "Marmosets might look incredibly cute, but they are highly intelligent, social primates with very specific and complex needs.
"They require specialist care, appropriate accommodation, enrichment and an environment that allows them to display their natural behaviours.
"This set-up certainly wasn’t that and the two little monkeys are now settling in at their new home in a wildlife park in the UK."
She added that from April 2026, it is illegal to own a primate without a local-authority licence.
This little chap has now got a new home
What are marmosets monkeys?
Marmosets are small monkeys native to the rainforests of Central and South America.
They are known for their long tails, expressive faces and highly social nature.
The primates live in family groups and feed on insects, fruit, nectar and tree sap.
Marmosets use their sharp claws to cling to branches and bark.
They communicate through a variety of chirps and calls and are admired for their playful and intelligent behaviour.
It's illegal to keep primates as pets
New legislation bans keeping primates as pets in England unless owners have a local-authority primate licence or a specific exemption applies.
The law requires all primates be kept to zoo-level welfare standards.
It is estimated that up to 5,000 primates are currently kept as pets in the UK.
Experts say these animals have complex social and welfare needs that cannot be met in domestic environments.