A tamed Sri Lankan Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica) is looking at the camera at the Galle Face promenade in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on March 5, 2024. In the bustling streets of Sri Lanka, a traditional group known as Ahikuntaka is coercing a young Toque Macaque into performing circus-like acts. Despite its youth and visible exhaustion, which highlight the cruelty of its exploitation, the macaque is being forced to perform unnatural acts that exceed its physical and emotional capacity. This exploitation not only reflects the harsh reality of individuals selling innocent animals to make money but also perpetuates a cycle of exploitation. To address this issue, it is necessary to acknowledge and rectify the exploitation of innocent animals for monetary gain. Only through such actions can we hope to end this cycle of exploitation and secure a better future for the young Toque Macaque and all others affected. (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage/NurPhoto) (Photo by Thilina Kaluthotage / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)
