A GARDEN centre boss has defended the company's decision to have four marmoset monkeys on display.

Sam Ainscow, manager of Bradley Fold Garden Centre, bought the animals last September and was granted a licence to keep them on the premises by Bury Council.

Taxi driver John Clow, of Bradshaw, has branded the move as appalling after he saw the "highly intelligent" primates being kept there last week.

Animal charity RSPCA advises against keeping marmosets in captivity.

Mr Ainscow says he has received just one complaint from a customer since they arrived, which was made just before Christmas.

The marmosets, one of the smallest monkey breeds in the world, are housed in a large glass tank in the pet section of the centre, which also has fish, birds and reptiles.

Mr Ainscow said: "We were nervous to what the backlash could be but I would say 99 per cent has been positive feedback.

"The actual marmosets are not for sale.

"They are very specialised and need a lot of attention.

"I personally would not feel happy selling them, even though that would be classed as legal in the UK.

"They have got special dietary needs, and all our staff in that department are trained up and know exactly what they need.

"We also have a vet, based in Manchester, who specialises in those sorts of animals.

"We have different swings and toys in the enclosure.

"In the wild they would be hunting for bugs in logs so we drill holes in them and put the food in to replicate that, to challenge them to get the food."

According to the RSPCA, marmosets are the most commonly kept primates, followed by capuchins and squirrel monkeys, and the charity is calling for a ban on the keeping and trade of pet primates.

A spokesman said: "Specialist expert knowledge and facilities are required to look after primates properly, which the vast majority of people lack.

"Marmosets are highly intelligent animals that have very complex social and feeding behaviours.

"That is why the RSPCA feels it is extremely difficult to provide for all a marmoset's needs in captivity."

Mr Clow said: "It's appalling. A pal of mine saw them and I went in to have a look myself.

"It's a big glass tank, they have got no fresh air.

"Right next to them, in the next tank, there's an enormous python which is a predator of theirs.

"They know it's there, they can sense it — they must be terrified.

"It's just ridiculous."

His partner Jean Nicholson said: "People get them because they see them at garden centres.

"They are not for sale there, they are just to attract customers.

"There were kids round them, tapping on the glass.

"They are primates after all, they are intelligent beings.

"They are not pictures to be hung on a wall. It's cruel.

"We are gardeners and they have just lost our custom — we will never go there again.

"We would like to see them re-housed in a proper place — a monkey sanctuary."

Mr Ainscow said there is sufficient distance between the marmosets and python for them to be unaware of each other and a recent council inspection deemed the design and size of the enclosure, as well as the animals' enrichment, as satisfactory.

A spokesman for Bury Council confirmed the garden centre is licensed as a pet shop and is allowed to keep marmosets.

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