THE operators of Massa Nature Park, Johnny Hardial and Gayatrie Mahabirsingh, have lost their High Court battle against the Chief Game Warden over the seizure of a baby red howler monkey named “Raja”, and alleged delays in obtaining a permit.

In a judgment deli­vered on Monday, Justice Robin Mohammed ruled that the couple’s judicial review claim had no realistic prospect of success and struck out their application.

Justice Mohammed set aside an earlier grant of leave for judicial review granted in November 2023, finding that Chief Game Warden Denny Dip­chansingh had presented a “clear knockout blow” to the substance of the claim.