LOS ANGELES (CNS) – L.A.-based Super King Markets has stopped selling Thai coconut milk from milk producer Chaokoh in response to a campaign by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in defense of coconut-picking monkeys, PETA said today.
“Following a PETA Asia undercover investigation into the use of captive monkeys kept chained and caged for life in Thailand's coconut-picking industry as well as pressure from PETA, Super King Markets has ended its sale of coconut milk from major coconut milk producer Chaokoh,'' according to a PETA statement.
“Milk from coconuts picked by abused monkeys doesn't belong on grocery store shelves any more than monkeys belong on chains,'' said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “Super King Markets heard PETA's message, and now we're calling on Walmart and Kroger to join the chain and the thousands of other stores that have rejected products of forced monkey labor."
PETA Asia's investigators found cruelty to monkeys on every farm, at every monkey-training facility, and in every coconut-picking contest that used monkey labor, the statement said, adding:
“When not being forced to pick coconuts or perform in circus-style shows for tourists, the animals were kept tethered, chained to old tires, or confined to cages barely larger than their bodies. Many displayed repetitive behavior indicative of extreme mental anguish, including one monkey who chewed on one of his own limbs. One coconut farmer confirmed that when monkeys are terrified and try to defend themselves, handlers may have their teeth pulled out.''
Super King Markets joins more than 26,000 other stores – including the chains Wegmans, Costco, Walgreens, Food Lion, and Stop & Shop -- which have banned coconut milk brands that use coconuts picked by monkeys, PETA said.
“PETA is now turning its attention to other retailers that still do business with Chaokoh, including Kroger, Albertsons, Walmart, and Target,'' it said.
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