A female common marmoset found abandoned on a London bus last week is now receiving specialized care at an animal rescue center, according to wildlife authorities. Rescuers named the primate Oyster after she was discovered on a Route 302 bus in Kensal Rise, north-west London, on Friday, February 21, 2025.
Discovery on the Route 302 Bus
Passengers and transport staff alerted authorities after spotting the small primate unaccompanied on the public transport vehicle. According to the RSPCA, inspectors collected the marmoset from the bus terminus and transferred her to a wildlife facility for immediate assessment. Common marmosets are native to Brazil and are classified as exotic pets in the United Kingdom, where keeping them requires adherence to specific animal welfare legislation under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.
Transport for London representatives confirmed that staff assisted inspectors during the recovery operation. Inspector Lee Foreman of the RSPCA stated that the animal was cold, frightened, and in need of immediate veterinary evaluation when she arrived at the center.
Primate Care and Legal Status in the UK
Oyster is currently undergoing rehabilitation with specialist keepers who manage exotic mammal diets and heating requirements. Veterinary staff noted that unauthorized keeping of primates often leads to abandonment when owners realize the complex behavioral and dietary needs of these animals. Under current UK regulations, common marmosets do not require a license under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act in every circumstance, a legal loophole that animal welfare charities have repeatedly urged the government to close.
Campaigners from organizations such as the RSPCA and Wildwood Trust point to incidents like Oyster’s discovery as evidence that the private trade in primates requires stricter legislative controls. Government consultations on banning the keeping of primates as pets have been discussed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), though comprehensive restrictions remain pending.
Next Steps for Oyster
Wildlife officials confirmed that Oyster will remain in specialist care while recovery efforts continue. Authorities have appealed to the public for information regarding how the animal came to be left unattended on a public bus in north-west London. Anyone with relevant details is encouraged to contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line.
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