The sweet video that will make you think : millions of views in seconds. A baby monkey, a young macaque monkey in baby clothes, with a cute hat or oversized sunglasses. These videos seem harmless, entertaining, even heartwarming. But the reality behind these viral sensations is a story of cruelty and exploitation.

The silent suffering: baby monkeys in the shadow of the social media spotlight
Recent revelations from animal welfare organizations highlight the horrifying depth of psychological and physical abuse, including the cruel torture and even killing of baby monkeys in full view of the public. The videos analyzed in a report were viewed over twelve billion times. These videos are just a fraction of all the content available online, meaning the total number of views is likely much, much higher.

What makes macaques so desirable?
Content creators have discovered that depictions of macaques in domestic settings have a special magic. Posts in which these primates dress in clothing or perform human-like activities not only receive a flood of likes, but also promise significant monetary benefits.
The psychology of popularity
Why do such videos attract the crowds? It is human nature to be attracted to something that is cute and unusual. These videos feature a combination of both: animals imitating human activities in human clothing. The problem is that most viewers can't see beyond the edge of the screen and ignore the tragedy that's unfolding behind the scenes. Northern pig-tailed macaques were the most featured in the horrific videos, followed by long-tailed macaques and bear macaques.

found in data analyzed in the report © SMACC/World Animal Protection Society
Train, torture, repeat
The methods used to “train” macaques for these clips are heartbreaking. From food deprivation to physical punishment, the techniques are often brutal. The psychological and physical scars inflicted on animals are long-lasting. It's not just the sheer exploitation; it is also the isolation from their families and the natural environment that these animals must endure.
The animals often scream or try to escape while soap and water flow over their faces.

Among the alarming trends we are seeing in staged rescue videos on social media is footage of extremely young, emaciated monkey cubs. Many appear to be on the verge of death or have even died, sometimes giving the impression that they were influenced by drugs.
Responsibility of the platforms
The big question that arises is: How can platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube host such content? It is their responsibility to implement algorithms that pull the plug on such content. And yet many platforms seem to act more slowly than they should. Although community guidelines exist, enforcement actions are often lax.
How can we break the cycle?
It is up to us, the consumers, to make a conscious decision. Through education and awareness we can reduce the demand for such videos. Not just sharing, but even just watching these videos can further encourage abuse. We have to ask ourselves: Is it really worth it?
Despite the disturbing discoveries and reports regarding these contents, they remained untouched until the report was published. According to the World Society for the Protection of Animals, no moderation team has intervened and the disturbing videos are still accessible!
Raise awareness
The best weapon against such practices is education. An informed viewer can tell the difference and make informed decisions. It's crucial to learn the real story behind such viral hits and use your platform to educate others.
Bottom line : Next time a “cute” animal video pops up in your feed, think twice before watching or sharing it. Every click can make a difference - whether it's promoting cruelty or supporting compassion and education. It's in our hands.
Also read: Orangutan brothels: The business of monkey prostitution
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )

