Dallas Police are looking into why a pair of monkeys went missing, as other animals have been mysteriously disappearing.
The monkeys were nowhere to be found on Monday afternoon, the Daily Wire reports. On Tuesday, police indicated they were searching for a person who could have information about the monkeys, which are two emperor tamarins from South America. According to the outlet, other animals have been known to also suddenly disappear from the zoo.
The Dallas Police Department posted a photo of the man they were looking for, asking for the public’s help in finding him. “Dallas Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the pictured individual,” the department posted Tuesday. “Detectives are looking to speak with the man in regard to the two tamarin monkeys missing from the Dallas Zoo.”
Dallas Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the pictured individual. Detectives are looking to speak with the man in regard to the two tamarin monkeys missing from the Dallas Zoo.
Anyone with information- call 214-671-4509. pic.twitter.com/VVvvHFAdgJ— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) January 31, 2023
These types of monkeys are very valuable on the black market, according to a report by TODAY:
As the zoo noted, the monkeys were nowhere to be found on Monday. “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,” the zoo posted online. “It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised.”
“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 zoo said. “Based on the Dallas Police Department’s initial assessment, they have reason to believe the tamarins were taken.”
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.
— Dallas Zoo (@DallasZoo) January 30, 2023
Thankfully, the monkeys were found late Tuesday afternoon, recovered from a home in a city nearby called Lancaster, according to reports.
The zoo reportedly wrote on Twitter that it was “thrilled beyond belief” for the discovery and, “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.”
Updates about the status of the monkeys were reportedly promised by the zoo.
This does not mark the only strange incident the Dallas zoo has had to deal with in recent times. Last month, the zoo closed on Jan. 13 after a clouded leopard fled its enclosure, prompting police to open a criminal investigation on the matter. The animal was found later that day. Right after that, a gash was reportedly discovered at a facility holding langur monkeys.
