Community Chat

[MorningLover]

Also Stolen and still missing.

BROUSSARD, La.- Inside Zoosiana, 12 squirrel monkeys were stolen from their habitat shortly before midnight on Saturday, Jan. 28.

“The individual(s) targeted facilities of smaller primates and specifically compromised the Squirrel Monkey exhibit. The individual(s) was unfortunately successful in stealing 12 squirrel monkeys,” the zoo said in a Facebook post.

The remaining squirrel monkeys —which are native to South America — were safe and no other animals were affected, the zoo said.

The zoo said multiple local, state and federal agencies were investigating the theft.

“Our animal care process here is very thorough and significant, and with that you build a strong rapport and care and even love for these animals,” general manager Matt Oldeburg told NOLA news.

“They become an extended part of your family…Before long they really, really matter to you. It’s incredibly upsetting. They’re a part of our family." 

Squirrel monkeys require special care and the person or persons who stole them may not be able to provide that care. 

“Do they need a special diet or not?  Do they require special health care or medication?  If they dont feel well, what sort of environmental enhancement do they need?”

Oldenburg says even for the squirrel monkeys, when one is missing those who remain are aware something is out of place. 

“What are their favorite food items and making sure they have plenty of that, familiar enrichment activities, and rebuilding that bond with our animal care staff,” Matt Oldeburg stated. "We’re very upset and would love for the monkeys to be returned."

[shoesnbags]

@MorningLover 

Thanks for providing the article I was talking about upthread!  And aren't they cute?

[Trailrun23]

They have upped the reward to $50k for tips that leads to arrest of the people involved. Anyone who can harm animals or steal them is a twisted person imho. They located the monkeys after a tip from a neighbor of the abandoned house....they will find the person(s) doing this with the reward being doubled. Just hope no other animals are taken or allowed to escape. 

[MakeUpMaidn]

"Man arrested in connection with monkeys stolen from Dallas Zoo: Police"

Dallas police arrested a man in connection with the theft of two emperor tamarin monkeys from the Dallas Zoo. The two monkeys were   on Tuesday after they went missing a day prior.

Police arrested 24-year-old Davion Irvin and charged him with six counts of animal cruelty. He has been taken to the Dallas County jail, police said in a statement.

Authorities were able to identify Irvin as the man they were looking to speak with regarding the missing monkeys after releasing a photo of a person of interest and with help from the public, police said.

On Thursday, Dallas police received a tip Irvin was seen at the Dallas Aquarium near animal exhibits. When officers responded, Irvin get on a Dallas Area Rapid Transit train before he was spotted again and taken into custody.

The investigation into the case is still ongoing and further charges are possible, according to police.

The monkeys were found safe at an abandoned home in Lancaster and returned to the zoo.

The monkey theft was the latest in a series of   at the Dallas Zoo.

In January, a clouded leopard escaped her enclosure at the Dallas Zoo after the fence of her habitat was "intentionally cut," the leopard was found the same day it went missing, according to officials. A second fence inside the zoo's langur monkey habitat was cut although no monkeys escaped or were harmed.

The Dallas Zoo also found a rare and endangered vulture dead in its enclosure in January, with officials saying it did not appear to have died from natural causes.

Police have not said whether Irvin is connected to the other incidents.

The Dallas Zoo is offering a   for information on the person tampering with animal habitats.

Separately, 12 monkeys were   from a Louisiana zoo last weekend and are still missing, days later. The thief first tried to break into another habitat and steal a marmoset monkey, but was unsuccessful.

As of now, there is no indication there is a connection between the Texas and Louisiana zoo break-ins, according to the Broussard Police Department.  (Ref:   ABC news)

[Trailrun23]

The suspect has been charged connecting him to two of the incidents (so far). In addition to stealing the two monkeys, they have charged him with cutting open the clouded leopard's habitat, allowing it to escape. It was eventually found on the zoo's property, unharmed. So far, no one has been charged with the two other incidents.

[Lucky Charm]

So glad they caught the perp for this.  Kudos to the public for spotting him!  Hope they make an example of him to deter others from this kind of money making scheme.  You want to make a buck?  Get a job!