LONDON  –  A marmoset monkey has been rescued by animal welfare officers after being found abandoned inside a laundry bag on a bus in north-west London. The female primate was discovered by a driver on the route 302 bus when it arrived at Kensal Rise on Friday morning, the RSPCA said. A passenger with a buggy had been unable to move down the bus because the bag was blocking the luggage bay. When the driver moved it, the monkey began chirping and jumping inside. A spokesperson for the charity said the marmoset was trapped inside a small, metal bird cage wrapped in a chequered plastic bag. She was left with a piece of apple but was stressed and dehydrated.

‘Clearly intentional’

The driver took the animal to the Metroline depot in Willesden before contacting the RSPCA. It has since been named Oyster, after the London travelcard. The charity fears the abandonment could be the first of many following legislation introduced in April which requires all primates kept as pets in England to be licensed. RSPCA London chief inspector Clare Dew said: “No-one noticed anything unusual on the bus before the monkey was discovered but we’ll be looking at CCTV and logs for scanning on and off to see if we can locate the person who left her on board. “It was clearly intentional. This is clearly a direct result of the new legislation and is something we feared would happen. I’d be surprised if it’s the last primate we see being dumped.”

Following a check-up by a vet, Oyster was given a clean bill of health and has been transferred to a sanctuary where she will be introduced to a male companion.

The RSPCA is urging people struggling to care for pets or unable to secure licences not to abandon their animals but to seek advice from vets or animal charities.

A Transport for London spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to hear that Oyster the marmoset was safely found and is now being cared for by the RSPCA.

“We would like to thank the driver who helped ensure the marmoset was carefully looked after before being collected and we’re glad that Oyster is safe and receiving the care she needs.”