Several squirrel monkeys stolen from Louisiana zoo: police

BROUSSARD, La. (KLFY) – Police in Louisiana are investigating after 12 squirrel monkeys were being stolen from their habitat in excess of the weekend.

Zoosiana, a 45-acre zoological park situated about 10 miles exterior Lafayette, was damaged into shortly ahead of midnight Saturday, officers said in a social media put up. The suspect allegedly targeted amenities for Zoosiana’s smaller sized primates and was ready to steal 12 squirrel monkeys.

“The remaining squirrel monkeys have been diligently assessed by each the Zoosiana veterinarian and animal treatment crew, and there are no other clear problems impacting their health or perfectly remaining,” officers reported Monday. “All other animals are accounted for and show up to have been undisturbed.”

Broussard Police Chief Vance Olivier told Nexstar’s KLFY that investigators are reviewing online video footage to aid seize the suspect or suspects.

It’s a unique investigation but that does not improve the protocol. 

“In the 13 yrs of law enforcement, we haven’t actually investigated a theft of squirrel monkeys.  We’re heading to go on investigating it as any other criminal offense that has taken location,” Main Olivier stated.

Zoosiana Director Matt Oldenburg claimed the concentrate is to continue to be on observe.

“We checked the remaining squirrel monkeys to make guaranteed there was very little evidently erroneous outside of the situation that occurred. We’re doing the job challenging to rebuild their convenience,” Oldenburg told KLFY.

Squirrel monkeys call for particular care that the suspect or suspects who stole them may possibly not be in a position to provide that treatment. Oldenburg included that when one particular squirrel monkey is lacking, individuals who stay are aware one thing is out of location. 

“If you hear a thing, we definitely want to get these animals back to their pure habitat in which they’ve been for a while,” Chief Oliver stated, encouraging the community to report anything at all suspicious to authorities.

Anybody with information is questioned to call Broussard Police Crime Stoppers at 337-232-Recommendations or Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries.

This theft will come as authorities in Dallas, Texas go on to investigate a string of odd incidents at the city’s zoo. On Monday, law enforcement said they think anyone slice an opening in an enclosure and took two emperor tamarin monkeys, tiny primates with extended whiskers that seem like a mustache.

The incident follows the Jan. 13 closure of the zoo and a daylong research when a clouded leopard named Nova went lacking. On Jan. 21, an endangered vulture named Pin was uncovered lifeless, and the zoo claimed the loss of life did not surface to be pure. Zoo President and CEO Gregg Hudson mentioned the vulture experienced “a wound.”

The Associated Push contributed to this report.