Now 12 squirrel monkeys are missing from Louisiana Zoo days after two were ... trends now

Now 12 squirrel monkeys are missing from Louisiana Zoo days after two were ... trends now
Now 12 squirrel monkeys are missing from Louisiana Zoo days after two were ... trends now

Now 12 squirrel monkeys are missing from Louisiana Zoo days after two were ... trends now

A dozen monkeys have been stolen in a zoo burglary in Louisiana - the latest in a string of animal thefts across multiple states.

The primates were taken from their enclosure at Zoosiana on Saturday, staffers at the Broussard zoo revealed in a statement, adding that the incident occurred moments before midnight. 

In total, 12 squirrel monkeys were taken, the zoo said - with officials claiming an unidentified perpetrator targeted other small monkeys during the break-in as well, before only taking the aforementioned animals.

Officers have yet to make an arrest in the case, which serves to compound another mystery currently unfolding a six hours' drive away in Dallas, where a series of similar incidents, including the theft of two tamarin monkeys, has left both local and federal investigators at a loss.

Recently released photos and video of a former staffer wanted in connection with the incidents, The Dallas Zoo upped its reward to $25,000 for information regarding the break-ins, as police said they are working to determine whether the incidents, which have all transpired within weeks of each other, are related. 

A dozen monkeys have been stolen in a zoo burglary in Louisiana - the latest in a string of animal thefts across multiple states

A dozen monkeys have been stolen in a zoo burglary in Louisiana - the latest in a string of animal thefts across multiple states

Officers have yet to make an arrest in the case, which serves to compound another mystery currently unfolding 400 miles away in Dallas, where a series of similar incident has left both local and federal investigators at a loss

Officers have yet to make an arrest in the case, which serves to compound another mystery currently unfolding 400 miles away in Dallas, where a series of similar incident has left both local and federal investigators at a loss

Zoosiana, set a 6 hours' drive from Dallas, offered its first statement on their break-in on Monday, revealing on Facebook that the 'facility was broken into shortly before midnight on Saturday, January 28th.'

It continued: 'The individual targeted facilities of smaller primates and specifically compromised the Squirrel Monkey exhibit. The individual was unfortunately successful in stealing 12 squirrel monkeys.

'The remaining squirrel monkeys have been carefully assessed by both the Zoosiana veterinarian and animal care team, and there are no other apparent issues affecting their health or well being,' it added

'All other animals are accounted for and appear to have been undisturbed.'    

Zoo officials did not specify how many squirrel monkeys had initially been in the enclosure, but said that are working with local, state, and federal agencies to try to locate the missing monkeys.

 Meanwhile, authorities in Dallas have had their hands full with a separate investigation, following a series of incidents that have transpired in recent weeks, which have seen several animals snagged, tampered with, and even killed.

The first of the bizarre incidents occurred on January 13, when a clouded leopard named Nova suddenly went missing from its enclosure.

The event sparked a day-long search for the 25-pound feline, which was eventually tracked down by cops a few hours later just off the zoo property. It was subsequently returned to its enclosure safe and sound

The pint-sized primates - known for their expressive faces and inquisitive personalities - were taken from their enclosure at Zoosiana Saturday, staffers at the Broussard zoo said Monday

The pint-sized primates - known for their expressive faces and inquisitive personalities - were taken from their enclosure at Zoosiana Saturday, staffers at the Broussard zoo said Monday

Forced to close down during the search for the carnivorous cat, the zoo resumed operations as normal the next day - until it was discovered that that a second habitat - one housed a breed of monkey known as langurs - had also been cut into. 

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