Cops baffled as monkeys stolen from zoo found in closet of an abandoned house

  • Bookmark

    • Don’t miss a thing! Sign up to the Daily Star’s newsletter

    We have more newsletters

    Two monkeys have been found in an abandoned home, one day after they were stolen from the zoo they live at.

    Two emperor monkeys were taken from the Dallas Zoo on Monday (January 30) before they were found on Tuesday (January 31), after receiving a tip from police that they could be in a home in Lancaster.

    Thankfully, the animals were safely found in a closet and were subsequently returned to zoo for veterinary evaluation.

    READ MORE: Mountain lion mauls child at same park as brutal animal attack just four months ago

    While no arrests have been made yet, police have confirmed that they are investigating whether suspicious incidents that have taken place at Dallas Zoo are related, including the mysterious death of an endangered vulture.

    Earlier this week, the zoo put out a statement: "Emperor tamarin monkeys would likely stay close to home – the Zoo searched near their habitat and across Zoo grounds and did not locate them.

    "It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised. Based on the Dallas Police Department's initial assessment, they have reason to believe the tamarins were taken."

    Lynn Cuny, founder and president of Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation in Kendalia, Texas, said a potential sale of the monkeys wouldn't have surprised her as she said a monkey like the two that were taken could fetch "several thousands" of dollars.

    Cuny added: "Primates are high-dollar animals in the wildlife pet trade in this country.

    To stay up to date with all the latest news, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

    "Everybody that wants one wants one for all the wrong reasons – there's never any good reason to have any wild animal as a pet."

    The Zoo has been making the rounds recently after it was closed on January 13 for a day following the news that a leopard named Nova went missing, before being found near her habitat.

    READ NEXT:

    • Man accused of biting head off woman's pet python after argument

    • Outrage as starving pigeon dyed totally pink 'used for gender reveal party'

    • 'Satanic' sea monster 'has sex like a vampire' by biting females to fertilise eggs

    • Animals
    • Property

    Source: Read Full Article

    World News Comments Off on Cops baffled as monkeys stolen from zoo found in closet of an abandoned house