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A dozen monkeys were stolen in a robbery at a zoo in Louisiana, the latest in a series of animal thefts in several states.
The primates were removed from their enclosure in Zoosiana on Saturday, Broussard Zoo staff revealed in a statement, adding that the incident occurred just before midnight.
In all, 12 squirrel monkeys were taken, the zoo said, and officials said an unidentified perpetrator also attacked other small monkeys during the raid, before taking only the aforementioned animals.
Officers have yet to make an arrest in the case, which serves to compound another mystery currently unfolding a six-hour drive away in Dallas, where a series of similar incidents, including the theft of two tamarin monkeys, has left the local and federal investigators. at a loss.
Recently releasing photos and videos of a former staff member wanted in connection with the incidents, The Dallas Zoo increased his reward for information on the robberies, such as pPolice said they are working to determine if the incidents, which occurred weeks apart, are related.
A dozen monkeys have been stolen in a robbery at a zoo in Louisiana, the latest in a series of animal thefts in several states.
Officers have yet to make an arrest in the case, which serves to compound another mystery currently unfolding 400 miles away in Dallas, where a series of similar incidents has left local and federal investigators at a loss.
Zoosiana, which is a 6-hour drive from Dallas, offered its first statement on its raid Monday, revealing on Facebook that the ‘The facility was raided shortly before midnight on Saturday, January 28.
He continued: ‘The individual installations targeted smaller primates and specifically engaged the squirrel monkey exhibit. Unfortunately, the individual managed to steal 12 squirrel monkeys.
“The remaining squirrel monkeys have been carefully evaluated by both Zoosiana’s veterinarian and the animal care team, and there are no other apparent issues affecting their health or well-being,” it added.
“All other animals are accounted for and appear to have been undisturbed.”
Zoo officials did not specify how many squirrel monkeys had initially been in the enclosure, but said they are working with local, state and federal agencies to try to locate the missing monkeys.
Meanwhile, Dallas authorities have been very busy with a separate investigation, following a series of incidents in recent weeks in which various animals were trapped, handled and even killed.
The first of the strange incidents occurred on January 13, when a clouded leopard named Nova suddenly disappeared from its enclosure.
The event prompted a day-long search for the 25-pound feline, which was finally tracked down by police a few hours later right next to zoo property. Later he was returned to his enclosure safe and sound.
The tiny primates, known for their expressive faces and curious personalities, were brought out of their enclosure at Zoosiana on Saturday, Broussard Zoo staff said Monday.
Forced to close during the search for the carnivorous cat, the zoo resumed normal operations the next day, until it was discovered that a second habitat, one that housed a breed of monkeys known as langurs, had also been destroyed. Cut inside.
Fortunately, the hole was discovered before any of the animals could escape.
A police report later alleged that the incidents were the result of “criminal mischief” that prompted zoo staff to implement a series of additional security measures, including the installation of additional cameras and more security patrols at night.
A week later, an endangered 35-year-old vulture was found dead inside its habitat, prompting the zoo to go back to the the local police department, this time asking for help in their own investigation, which found the vulture’s cause of death to be an injury.
Dallas authorities have been very busy with a separate investigation, following a series of incidents in recent weeks in which various animals were trapped, handled and even killed.
The first of the strange incidents occurred on January 13, when a clouded leopard named NOva (pictured) suddenly disappeared from its enclosure. The cat was found safe hours later.
Operations at the zoo would return to normal the next day, that is, until zoo officials discovered that a second habitat, one that housed a breed of monkey known as langurs, had been similarly cut off.
It was soon perceived that the vulture’s demise was likely the result of foul play, and was deemed “suspicious” by officials.
Two days later, the zoo would once again find itself apparently under attack, when two emperor tamarins disappeared from their own enclosure, which had also been cut off.
Both monkeys were both found unharmed Tuesday, a day after she went missing, in an abandoned house south of the Lancaster Zoo.
On January 21, an endangered 35-year-old vulture named Pin was found dead, and the zoo issued a statement saying his death did not appear to be “natural.”
Two days later, the zoo would once again find itself apparently under attack, when two emperor tamarins disappeared from their own enclosure, which had also been cut off. They were found an abandoned house on Tuesday. One of the monkeys is shown in the house here.
Dallas police said they found the monkeys after receiving a tip from an anonymous resident, and the animals were safely located in a closet and then returned to the zoo for veterinary evaluation.
Later that day, zoo staff posted a photo of an unnamed man investigators are seeking to talk to about the animals, who used to work security at the facility.
The photo shows a young man walking through the zoo eating a bag of Doritos as they try to identify and talk about the incident. Dallas police told DailyMail.com the man has not been named as a suspect or person of interest.
Dallas police are searching for this man who is believed to have been in the area when two monkeys were stolen from the zoo on Sunday.
In a statement last week, zoo officials reiterated that they would continue to protect their animals to the best of their ability amid the series of incidents.
Ed Hansen, executive director of the American Association of Zookeepers, said he couldn’t recall a zoo that faced similar incidents so frequently.
“Sounds like someone really has a problem with the Dallas Zoo,” Hansen said.
Hansen, who described the Dallas Zoo’s reputation as “excellent” within the industry, said accredited zoos have double-perimeter fencing and that a zoo as large as the one in Dallas would have a security patrol.
But the animals have escaped from the Dallas Zoo enclosures before.
Zoo officials did not provide further details about the vulture’s death and declined to do so until police make further progress in their investigation. The cops show up at the zoo, located just a six-hour drive from Broussard, last month.
Most notably, a 340-pound gorilla named Jabari jumped over a wall in 2004 and went on a 40-minute rampage that injured three people before police shot and killed the animal.
Anyone with information on the suspect’s identity or whereabouts can call (214) 671-4509.