'They're a part of family': Louisiana zoo authorities pray for safe return of 12 stolen squirrel monkeys
BROUSSARD, LOUSIANA: The latest in a series of strange events involving zoo animals is the theft of 12 squirrel monkeys from a Louisiana zoo. On Saturday, January 28, just before midnight, the squirrel monkey exhibit was broken into and 12 animals were taken.
The incident was confirmed by Zoosiana, a zoo in Broussard, Louisiana, on Monday, January 30. The zoo said an investigation into the incident is ongoing as they are working with the local, state, and federal agencies.
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What happened to the monkeys?
"Our facility was broken into shortly before midnight on Saturday, January 28," Zoosiana zoo officials announced in a statement which they also shared on Facebook. The zoo officials believe that it was an individual who took around 12 squirrel monkeys. "The individual was unfortunately successful in stealing 12 squirrel monkeys," the statement added.
The officials informed that the remaining squirrel monkeys have been carefully assessed by both the Zoosiana veterinarian and animal care team and that "there are no other apparent issues affecting their health or well-being". "All other animals are accounted for and appear to have been undisturbed," they added.
The zoo ruled out any foul play on Sunday when the facility was ordered to be closed. They said it was due to the weather and wasn't related to the stealing incident. "Sunday’s facility closure was due to weather and was unrelated to this incident". Announcing that investigations have been taken up, anyone with information has been requested to reach out, "Zoosiana is working with local, state, and federal agencies and asking your help should you have any information related to this theft."
‘It’s incredibly upsetting’
The stolen monkeys, who make up about one-third of the zoo's entire squirrel monkey population, were dearly loved by the staff, according to Matt Oldenburg, general manager of Zoosiana, and their disappearance has deeply upset the team."...It’s incredibly upsetting. They’re a part of our family. Above all else we’re just very upset and would love for the monkeys to be returned,” Oldenburg said as per The Advocate.
As per Broussard Police Chief Vance Olivier, theft was discovered Sunday morning around 10:30 a.m. as zoo staff checked on the animals. Investigators determined the fencing around the monkeys’ habitat was cut, allowing someone access to the enclosure.
Incident compared to Dallas Zoo theft
"Praying they are found safe," one reacted on the Facebook post while others were quick to relate the incident to the one at Dallas Zoo where two emperor tamarin monkeys were "intentionally taken." The users reacted this is the person they are looking for hoping that in Zoosiana he has been caught on camera. "This is the guy Dallas Police is looking for in regards to the stolen monkeys at the Dallas Zoo. If any of Zoosiana employees recognize this individual...Or have him on camera. I sure hope you recover all 12 monkeys ASAP," another said. One more wrote, "Makes me so angry that someone would be so evil! I'm so sorry this happened." Dallas Zoo has been in the news for a string of events starting from the suspicious death of a vulture named Pin to holes found around the enclosures.