Common marmosets from research centre BPRC successfully relocated to zoo
On 14 January 2026, 18 common marmosets were successfully transferred from the Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC) in the Netherlands to a zoo in Spain. The organisations Animal Rights, GRAAL and Zoo de Castellar worked together with the BPRC to offer the animals a retirement home.
Director of Animal Rights, Susan Hartland:
“The relocation is a successful collaboration between the organisations, and we hope this will again be a step towards ending the use of primates in scientific experiments in the Netherlands.”
One of the common marmosets on the journey to Spain. Photo: Animal Rights
Director of BPRC, Merel Langelaar:
“The BPRC applies high standards for care and housing, including for animals that are placed elsewhere. For that reason, we consider it important that the marmosets spend their retirement in a good environment. On the recommendation of Animal Rights and GRAAL, this zoo was selected. Castellar, like us, attaches great importance to animal welfare. For that reason, we entrust our animals to this new home with confidence.”
During the search for a new home, GRAAL (Group for Reflection and Action for AnimaLs) became involved to help find a suitable location. The organisation approached Animal Rights and the BPRC with the message that the Spanish facility in Castellar was willing to receive all 18 animals.
Marie-Françoise Lheureux, founder and president of GRAAL:
“We are delighted that we were able to establish this connection and that these 18 monkeys can begin a new life. This international initiative highlights the strength of joint commitment and cooperation between animal rights organisations, the zoo and the laboratory. It also shows that relocation is a viable alternative to transferring animals to other research facilities and offers real hope for the future and for the development of alternative methods to replace existing animal protocols in European research centres.”
Director of Zoo de Castellar, Javier Lazpita:
“Zoo de Castellar is very pleased that we can offer primates from laboratories a pleasant and peaceful retirement, as they deserve. Our motivation for these types of relocations is very strong.”
Retirement
The monkeys will spend the rest of their lives in spacious outdoor enclosures at Zoo de Castellar and will enjoy the subtropical climate that suits them naturally.
The animals will not be bred.
First of more relocations
All parties involved are positive about this first collaboration and hope that it will mark the beginning of more relocations in the future. Together they will continue to follow the monkeys and share their stories from the zoo.
