USFWS Rejects Petition to List Long-Tailed Macaque Monkeys as Endangered

On July 14, 2026, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) rejected for the second time a petition from PETA and other activist groups. This petition aimed to list long-tailed macaque monkeys under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The USFWS concluded that the petition lacked substantial scientific evidence to warrant further review.

The National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR) applauded the USFWS decision. Matthew R. Bailey, NABR's president, expressed concern over the use of the ESA for political purposes. According to NABR, long-tailed macaques are vital for medical research due to their biological similarities to humans.

These nonhuman primates play a significant role in medical fields such as regenerative medicine, immunology, and vaccine development. Their use is heavily regulated by international and U.S. agencies. The NABR emphasizes ensuring that species protection decisions are based on scientific and commercial data.