Post by Nats on Apr 7, 2018 0:58:19 GMT
Wellington Zoo today reported a monkey had been stolen after an overnight break in — but have since found her, frightened and hiding
Wellington Zoo today reported a monkey had been stolen after an overnight break-in - but later confirmed the animal had been hiding.
The female squirrel monkey had been presumed stolen after zoo keepers this morning discovered the enclosure had been broken into and could not find the female monkey.
Some of the monkeys have been hurt but their injuries are not known.
Staff checked the habitat several times before contacting police and issuing a media statement saying the monkey was missing and staff were concerned for her welfare.
However, about 12.20pm a zoo spokeswoman confirmed the animal had been found, hiding in her enclosure.
She was believed to have been frightened by the break-in.
The animals disturbed by the intrusion had been behaving in an unusual manner following the incident.
"We are thrilled that she is still at the zoo, however we are incredibly upset at the forethought and sophistication that has gone into this break-in," a spokeswoman said.
"Two monkeys were found this morning in a habitat with another species, this could easily have ended in disaster. Some of the monkeys have been injured."
Police are expected to continue making inquiries into the break-in and the zoo has launched an internal investigation into what happened.
Staff at the zoo will provide further information to media at 1pm.
Although rare in New Zealand, animal thefts from zoo enclosures have happened all over the world.
In 2015 National Geographic reported golden lion tamarins were stolen by professional animal dealers from Zoo Krefeld in Germany.
The magazine reported that in 2011 400 animals were stolen from European zoos and in 2015 25 members of the European Association of Zoos and Acquaria reported thefts.
One French zoo had 79 tortoises stolen.
At the time the director of the Association of Zoological Gardens in Germany, Volker Homes, said zoo thefts were "a really severe problem".
Closer to home, last month Charisma the alpaca was stolen from a Dairy Flat, Auckland, property, leaving his blind
Bambi adrift.
The alpaca hasn't been found.
In December 2016, The Sun reported a group of teenagers broke into London Zoo at night and filmed themselves exploring the enclosures.
One teenager was bitten by a llama during the escapade, while another leapt into a penguin enclosure.
The escapade was later posted on You Tube.
In 2008 Hamilton Zoo recovered a pair of Madagascan day geckos and two bearded dragons which were stolen.
Thieves cut through chained and padlocked doors to get into the reptile house to steal the lizards.
Wellington Zoo today reported a monkey had been stolen after an overnight break-in - but later confirmed the animal had been hiding.
The female squirrel monkey had been presumed stolen after zoo keepers this morning discovered the enclosure had been broken into and could not find the female monkey.
Some of the monkeys have been hurt but their injuries are not known.
Staff checked the habitat several times before contacting police and issuing a media statement saying the monkey was missing and staff were concerned for her welfare.
However, about 12.20pm a zoo spokeswoman confirmed the animal had been found, hiding in her enclosure.
She was believed to have been frightened by the break-in.
The animals disturbed by the intrusion had been behaving in an unusual manner following the incident.
"We are thrilled that she is still at the zoo, however we are incredibly upset at the forethought and sophistication that has gone into this break-in," a spokeswoman said.
"Two monkeys were found this morning in a habitat with another species, this could easily have ended in disaster. Some of the monkeys have been injured."
Police are expected to continue making inquiries into the break-in and the zoo has launched an internal investigation into what happened.
Staff at the zoo will provide further information to media at 1pm.
Although rare in New Zealand, animal thefts from zoo enclosures have happened all over the world.
In 2015 National Geographic reported golden lion tamarins were stolen by professional animal dealers from Zoo Krefeld in Germany.
The magazine reported that in 2011 400 animals were stolen from European zoos and in 2015 25 members of the European Association of Zoos and Acquaria reported thefts.
One French zoo had 79 tortoises stolen.
At the time the director of the Association of Zoological Gardens in Germany, Volker Homes, said zoo thefts were "a really severe problem".
Closer to home, last month Charisma the alpaca was stolen from a Dairy Flat, Auckland, property, leaving his blind
Bambi adrift.The alpaca hasn't been found.
In December 2016, The Sun reported a group of teenagers broke into London Zoo at night and filmed themselves exploring the enclosures.
One teenager was bitten by a llama during the escapade, while another leapt into a penguin enclosure.
The escapade was later posted on You Tube.
In 2008 Hamilton Zoo recovered a pair of Madagascan day geckos and two bearded dragons which were stolen.
Thieves cut through chained and padlocked doors to get into the reptile house to steal the lizards.
