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Who is the CEO of Dallas Zoo? Two emperor tamarin monkeys go MISSING in fourth suspicious incident in a month

Based on the Dallas Police Department’s initial assessment, the Dallas zoo has ‘reason to believe the tamarins were taken’

Update: The two emperor tamarin monkeys missing from the Dallas Zoo were found unharmed at an abandoned home in Lancaster, Texas, on Tuesday, January 31. 

“DPD located the animals early this evening, and called our team to come secure and transport the tamarins back to the Zoo. They will be evaluated by our veterinarians this evening," the zoo officials said in their statement after the simians were found.

Police had released a photo of a person they wanted to speak in connection with the missing primates to but it was not clear if that was related or if anyone was in custody. Hours after the police released the picture, the monkeys were found. 

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DALLAS, TEXAS: The Dallas Zoological Park, better known as the Dallas Zoo, reported the disappearance of two emperor tamarin monkeys. Authorities were alerted to a problem with the animals' habitats by the Dallas Zoo.

On Monday, January 30, the zoo released the following statement that read, "On Monday morning (January 30), Dallas Zoo alerted the Dallas Police Department after the animal care team discovered two of our emperor tamarin monkeys were missing. It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised." The zoo which is home to more than 400 species and 2,000 animals added, "Emperor tamarin monkeys would likely stay close to home - the Zoo searched near their habitat and across Zoo grounds, and did not locate them. Based on the Dallas Police Department’s initial assessment, they have reason to believe the tamarins were taken." Currently, the Dallas Police Department is conducting an official investigation.

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Past suspicious activities at the Dallas Zoo

The missing emperor tamarin monkeys mark the fourth suspicious incident that has been reported by the zoo. The first incident report stated that a clouded leopard named Nova got out of its confinement, as reported by NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. Later, investigators discovered that the enclosure had been cut on purpose.

When a hunt for Nova was underway, the fencing of another animal's habitat at the same zoo had a second cut. This second incision, which was made on the fence containing a species of monkey known as langurs, resembled the on-purpose cut that was previously reported.

The most recent occurrence, which included an endangered vulture that was discovered dead with an "unusual wound," was also disclosed by zoo officials. The Dallas Zoo discovered missing Nova earlier this month after its "suspicious" disappearance, which prompted the shutdown of the zoo.

Who is the CEO of Dallas Zoo?

Gregg Hudson serves as the Dallas Zoo's CEO and President. In 1982, Hudson graduated with a Bachelor of Science in marketing from the University of Texas at Arlington. Hudson has "28 years of experience in setting standards of non-profit management for the Zoological profession," according to his LinkedIn page.

According to Hudson's LinkedIn page, his areas of strength are leadership, team development, and strategic planning. He has previously held positions as CEO and executive director of the Fort Worth Zoo. He later worked for the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden before beginning his work at the Dallas Zoo.