Michael Dickison
Monkey cages line around 300 warehouses at Vanny Bio Research. (Tran Techseng/VOD)

US Monkey Importer Says It No Longer Gets Animals From Cambodia

A publicly traded American importer of laboratory monkeys says its supply from Cambodia has stopped after the U.S. indicted a Cambodian supplier for allegedly trafficking wild macaques, delaying its fourth-quarter earnings report as two of its subsidiaries face grand jury subpoenas related to the case. 

A person cycles past monkey cages at Vanny Bio Research in Pursat on November 21, 2022. (Tran Techseng/VOD)

‘I Pity Them’: Unease Inside the Monkey-Export Business

Workers at the Vanny Bio Research farm speak of X-rays to check newly arriving monkeys for airgun pellets and packing animals into crates for flights. It’s grueling work for under $200 a month to supply overseas laboratories with animals, they say.

Hilly forestland in Pursat's Veal Veng district. (Tran Techseng/VOD)

Monkey Hunting an Open Secret Among Pursat Residents

Residents near the hills of Pursat’s Veal Veng district acknowledge there’s plenty of wild monkey hunting in the area, but the animals are getting harder to find. Prices have shot up in recent years, especially for monkeys caught while they are small, they say.

Forestry Administration director Keo Omaliss in a photo posted to his Facebook page on May 21, 2022.

US Indictment Details Cambodian Officials’ Alleged Acts in Monkey-Smuggling

Emails and bank transfer details collected by U.S. investigators allege the Forestry Administration director used ministry staff to capture thousands of wild monkeys for illegal export — and that they waited until after the 2018 election to avoid scrutiny — while also requesting a large donation to the ruling CPP.

Asean Summit: What’s on the Agenda

Myanmar and Ukraine are expected to be key topics as the Asean Summit — and at least 12 side summits — kick off in Phnom Penh Thursday.

The front gate of Eastcrown Footwear Industries with a Puma sign above it. (Independent Trade Union Confederation)

Two More Unionists Terminated Despite Puma ‘Settlement’

Workers fired from a Puma supplier after trying to start a union say two more colleagues have had contracts terminated since the weekend, and don’t know about a visit or settlement as claimed by the German athletics brand.