Dallas Zoo Investigates Theft of Two Emperor Tamarin Monkeys from Enclosure

The Dallas Zoo is investigating a theft of two of its emperor tamarin monkeys after their enclosure was found to have been “intentionally compromised” on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.

The Dallas Police Department said its preliminary investigation found that the habitat had been intentionally cut open and the animals were believed to have been taken from the enclosure. The zoo said in a statement that it had searched near the monkeys’ habitat and across zoo grounds, but had not located them.

The incident is the fourth suspicious event at the zoo this month, including fences being cut and the suspicious death of an endangered vulture in the past few weeks.

Emperor tamarin monkeys are small primates with long whiskers that look like a mustache. They are native to the Amazon rainforest and would likely stay close to home if they had been taken from the zoo.

The Dallas Zoo is asking anyone with information about the theft to contact the Dallas Police Department. They are also reminding visitors to the zoo to be aware of their surroundings and to report any suspicious activity.