Police seize monkey from boot of car

A marmoset that was found in the back of a car is likely to be moved to Monkey World for ongoing care.

Police said the monkey will be transferred to the Dorset rescue centre following the discovery near Carlisle.

Officers stopped the vehicle that was travelling on the M6 at around 18:30 on Wednesday 8th April.

Monkey World has told the BBC that the rescue is likely to happen next week.

In a statement Cumbria Police said that two people were arrested.

"The driver, a man, was arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition and drug driving.

"The passenger was arrested on suspicion of illegal possession of a primate, after the discovery of a Marmoset monkey in the vehicle's boot."

During an interview with the BBC, Monkey World director, Alison Cronin got a phone call about the rescue.

"We are going to make it a priority to give it a pair of parents to look after it for the rest of its life" she said.

Cronin continued "I don't even know what to say. It's still happening today. The laws have now changed. People have to be licensed properly."

The government states, it is illegal to keep monkeys, chimpanzees, lemurs and other primates in England without a licence. The law came into force on 6 April.