It was just another sunny day during my six-month stay in Thailand. The heat was becoming unbearable, and to escape it, I found refuge under a sprawling palm tree, its towering height providing a much-needed shield from the sun. A local vendor approached, skillfully cracking open a fresh coconut, its sweet water glistening invitingly, and at that moment, I felt a sense of joy that could only be described as pure bliss.
Over the next few months, I relished in this newfound love for coconuts, indulging myself in its various forms – milk, water, oil, even the raw flesh – the exotic flavor adding a hint of adventure to my daily meals. Being a vegan, the plant-based nature of these products did fit perfectly within my lifestyle and ethical values. The coconuts were not only delicious and nourishing but seemed completely cruelty-free.
However, upon my return from this tropical paradise, I was confronted with a distressing revelation. The coconuts that I had so enjoyed – that are so widely consumed and adored across the globe – were shrouded in a truth far removed from the idyllic image that I had experienced. I was completely unaware of it.
Why Coconuts May Not Be Considered Vegan
Don’t get me wrong, coconuts are inherently vegan.
They’re fruits that grow on trees and can be consumed in various forms such as milk, oil, cream, and even as meat substitutes. These attributes make them a versatile and favored choice for many vegan recipes.
However, it’s crucial to understand that not all coconuts are sourced in the same manner, and while coconuts can come from various parts of the world, it’s the Thai coconut industry that’s under scrutiny due to its alarming harvesting practices.
The key question here isn’t whether coconuts themselves are vegan – they certainly are – but whether the practices involved in their harvest align with vegan ethics, particularly when it comes to coconuts imported from Thailand.
What Did PETA Find in Thailand?
Thailand is known for its coconut production, coming in as the third-largest coconut milk producer worldwide.
However, recent revelations by PETA Asia have shone a harsh spotlight on the darker side of this industry. The group’s investigations unveil a story of widespread forced monkey labor, casting a shadow over Thailand’s coconut products.
PETA’s own Jason Baker led an investigation to find Thai coconut farms that don’t use monkeys. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find a single one. This means the sad practice of chaining monkeys and making them pick coconuts all day is more common than we might think.
During their investigation, the PETA team talked to different people in the industry—farmers, monkey owners, drivers, and even representatives from big companies like Chaokoh, Aroy-D, and Suree. The team’s findings were heartbreaking.
Most of the monkeys, mainly a type called macaques, are taken away from their mothers as babies and made to work long hours picking coconuts. When they’re not working, they’re often kept alone with no chance to play or socialize.
Because of what they found, PETA is now asking everyone around the world to stop buying Thai coconut products. Some big shops in the U.S., like Walmart, Target, and Costco, have already stopped buying from companies that use monkeys to pick coconuts. But some other companies, like HelloFresh and McCormick spice company, haven’t done the same yet.
Interestingly, some supermarkets like Kroger, Albertsons, and Publix have stopped selling Chaokoh coconut milk after PETA’s investigations. But they still sell other brands that may be using monkey labor, like McCormick & Co’s Thai Kitchen coconut milk.
Even though PETA has shared these shocking findings, the Thai government and the company Chaokoh still say they don’t use monkeys to pick coconuts. But PETA’s evidence seems to tell a different story. This makes us wonder about where our coconut products are really coming from, and if we’re unknowingly supporting an industry that treats monkeys poorly.
How Are The Monkeys Treated, Exactly?
Many monkeys, who are frequently abducted from the wild while still young, endure a life of severe restriction, bound by unyielding metal collars.
The consequences of this imposed solitary existence, coupled with a deprivation of their innate behaviors, can result in severe psychological distress. They often exhibit signs of this turmoil, such as incessant pacing and circling within the confines of their debris-laden enclosures.
The training that these young monkeys endure is no less harsh. They are conditioned to perform grueling tasks like plucking heavy coconuts from towering trees. Resistance is met with painful punishment, including the possible extraction of their canine teeth.
In a further exploitation of their abilities, many of these monkeys are forced to partake in circus-like performances, carrying out perplexing and demeaning tricks for the amusement of spectators.
The investigators also brought to light the appalling conditions during the monkeys’ transportation. They are often confined to small cages, barely spacious enough for them to maneuver. Some are left defenseless against the elements, triggering clear signs of distress in these sensitive creatures.
Related information: According to the University of Wisconsin’s National Primate Research Center, a male monkey can gather approximately 1,600 coconuts daily, while a female counterpart manages to collect around 600. In stark contrast, a human can only procure about 80 coconuts in a day.
So, What Are The Alternatives?
Yep, it might be shocking to learn that some coconuts are picked by monkeys who are forced to do it. But this doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying coconut milk or water.
After all, not all coconut products are linked to the mistreatment of monkeys.
Many places like Brazil, Colombia, and Hawaii use people and machines to gather coconuts safely. They might use devices attached to tractors, rope systems, or platforms.
Some farms even grow short coconut trees so that no climbing is needed, and you’ll typically find that coconut water comes from these short trees.
Certain companies, like Harmless Harvest, guarantee that they don’t use monkeys to collect their coconuts.
And as I’ve mentioned earlier in the article, there are other companies like Walmart, Target, and Costco that have already stopped buying from companies that use monkeys to pick coconuts.
Besides being ethical shoppers, we can spread the word about these issues and push for stronger rules to prevent the mistreatment of animals.
Everyone has a role to play in making the coconut industry fair for everyone involved, and for someone that wasn’t want to be involved in grassroots activism, making sure the products they buy are ethical is already a pretty powerful form of activism.
What’s The Bottom Line?
Essentially, coconuts are naturally vegan. However, the way they are harvested in some places involves using monkeys in inhumane conditions.
So, if you’re planning to buy coconut products that truly adhere to vegan principles, it’s best to choose products not associated with this type of unfair labor practice.
