Police are investigating the possible theft of two Emperor tamarin monkeys after a break-in at the Dallas Zoo in the latest in a string of disturbing incidents at the facility
The facility’s animal care team discovered the primates weren’t in enclosure on Monday morning.
“It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised,” the zoo posted on social media.
“Emperor tamarin monkeys would likely stay close to home – the Zoo searched near their habitat and across Zoo grounds, and did not locate them,” the facility added.
The Dallas Police Department is now investigating and based on the initial assessment, the zoo said, “They have reason to believe the tamarins were taken.”
The zoo didn’t provide further details.
“This is all the information we are able to share at this time,” the zoo said.
The zoo has been plagued by by a series of troubling — and potentially criminal — incidents lately.
Already in January, a clouded leopard named Nova was able to escape its habitat after police said the fence was intentionally cut.
“We are thrilled to report we located clouded leopard Nova on-grounds at the Zoo this afternoon at approximated 4:40 p.m. She was located very near the original habitat, and teams were able to safely secure her just before 5:15 p.m,” the zoo said on Jan. 13 after she was found. “Initial indications are she is not injured.”
Then, a 35-year-old lappet-faced vulture named Pin died under “suspicious” circumstances, according to the zoo.
It had a “wound,” but no other details were provided about the endangered bird.
“Losing him is devastating not only to our Zoo family but also to the conservation efforts of this species,” the zoo said on Jan. 24. “With only about 6,500 individuals of lappet-faced vultures left on Earth, they are now listed as endangered by the IUCN with a chance of moving to critically endangered.”
Also recently, zoo officials found an intentional cut in the langur habitat, but none of those animals got out and none were hurt.
More cameras and surveillance have since been added.
The zoo is also offering a reward of $10,000 for information that could help explain any of the incidents.
