* Squirrel Monkey Stolen From San Francisco Zoo Overnight
Published by Reporter on December 31, 2011
UPDATE Click Here-Banana Sam found safe and returned to zoo.
San Francisco Zoo officials are asking for the public’s help today after a monkey was stolen from an exhibit overnight. This morning zoo staff discovered a 17-year-old male squirrel monkey, “Banana-Sam,” was missing from an exhibit that had been breached by vandals, according to a statement released by the zoo. Banana-Sam weighs approximately 2 pounds and is more than a foot tall, zoo officials said.
Despite the monkey’s small and cute appearance, it should not be handled as a pet because it has extremely sharp teeth and “will definitely bite if provoked,” officials said in the statement. According to zoo officials, the vandals cut a perimeter gate overnight and climbed on top of a roof sheltering five primate exhibits. The vandals cut two holes into the mesh of the squirrel monkey exhibit.
“This was a criminal act of vandalism and trespassing, and we are working with police to identify the perpetrators,” San Francisco Zoological Society president and executive director Tanya Peterson said. Banana-Sam arrived at the zoo with 20 other squirrel monkeys after funding for a local research program was discontinued.
“He is a valued member of the zoo, and we wish for a safe and speedy return,” officials said in the statement.
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Shannon on Sat, 31st Mar 2012 5:07 pm
OK, your child’s ZOO THEMED birthday party is over now!! RETURN THE PRIMATE!!!!