Bulk retailer Costco has dropped its use of a Thailand-based coconut milk producer after an investigation revealed the country’s secret use of captive monkeys in its coconut industry.
That’s according to PETA, which announced Wednesday that Costco will no longer purchase coconut milk from Chaokoh "until it stops using chained monkeys as coconut-picking machines."
It comes as the result of an undercover investigation by PETA Asia.
"No kind shopper wants monkeys to be chained up and treated like coconut-picking machines," said PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. "Costco made the right call to reject animal exploitation, and PETA is calling on holdouts like Kroger to follow suit."
The investigation "found cruelty to monkeys on every farm, at every monkey training facility and in every coconut-picking contest that used monkey labor." PETA said monkeys were also used in "circus-style shows" to entertain tourists and alleged that the animals were kept tethered, chained to tires or in small cages.
According to PETA, Costco joins several other retailers like Walgreens that have banned coconut milk products sourced by monkey labor.
KCBS Radio has reached out to Costco, but has not yet heard back.