Rita De Crescenzo faces scrutiny over primate possession

wildlife trafficking exotic animal possession zoonosis risk social media controversy CITES regulations

Italian influencer Rita De Crescenzo is facing intense backlash and legal scrutiny after posting social media videos featuring a small primate, believed to be a green monkey, brought back from Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

De Crescenzo has provided conflicting accounts of the animal's origin, at one point claiming she purchased two monkeys and later stating she rescued the primate from a cardboard box on the street. She has defended her actions, stating, "The monkey is mine and stays with me."

Experts and authorities have raised significant concerns regarding the legality and safety of the situation. Immunologist Matteo Bassetti warned of extreme public health risks, noting that such contact increases the danger of zoonotic diseases, including mpox, Ebola, and Marburg virus.

Politicians, including deputy Francesco Emilio Borrelli, and animal rights activists have called for official investigations. They have reported the matter to the Italian Ministry of the Environment and the Italian Embassy in Cairo to verify compliance with CITES regulations, as the private ownership and international trade of such species are strictly controlled and potentially illegal under Egyptian law.