Police Find Stolen Monkeys From Dallas Zoo In Closet Of Abandoned Home

June 4, 2024 Malorie Thompson

Authorities successfully located and rescued two missing emperor tamarin monkeys that were stolen from the Dallas Zoo in Texas.

The monkeys were found in a closet of an abandoned house in Lancaster, Texas.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Kevin1086 License: CC BY-SA 3.0

The Dallas Police Department shared about the discovery on Twitter on January 31, saying:

"Dallas Police, with the help of the Lancaster Police Department, located the two missing tamarin monkeys from the Dallas Zoo at an abandoned home in Lancaster."

They added a photo of "one of the animals still inside the closet of the house," and noted that the monkeys have been returned to the Dallas Zoo.

https://twitter.com/DallasPD/status/1620587153452568577

The Dallas Zoo initially shared that the monkeys were missing on Monday, January 30, 2023.

The zoo posted on Twitter that "It was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised." Staff searched the premises but the preliminary investigation showed the police that "they have reason to believe the tamarins were taken."

https://twitter.com/DallasZoo/status/1620195351893516290

Thankfully, it wasn't long before the monkeys were located.

The zoo posted an update saying that the monkeys were safely located and transported back to the zoo, though the police are still searching for the person(s) responsible for the theft.

https://twitter.com/DallasZoo/status/1620589087588507649

The Dallas Zoo was pleased to announce on February 1st that both monkeys, named Bella and Finn, were declared healthy by a veterinarian after the ordeal.

They said: "Emperor tamarin monkeys, Bella and Finn, were so happy to snuggle into their nest sack here at the Zoo last night! Our vet and animal care teams have said, beyond losing a bit of weight, they show no signs of injury."

https://twitter.com/DallasZoo/status/1620871919708024834

The zoo added that both the animals started eating and drinking without problems, but they'll have to undergo a quarantine period before being re-introduced to their zoo habitat since they left the premesis.

Hopefully the police will be able to locate whoever was responsible for the crime!

Malorie Thompson

Malorie works as a writer and editor in Northern California. She's passionate about food, conscious living, animal welfare, and conservation. She's worked with a variety of publications in different sectors but is happiest covering topics close to her heart. When not at her laptop, Malorie can be found enjoying picnics on the beach, hiking in the redwoods, and spending time with her rescue pup, Jax.

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