Now 12 squirrel monkeys are missing from Louisiana Zoo days after two were stolen from Dallas Zoo

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

© Provided by Daily Mail 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

© Provided by Daily Mail 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

© Provided by Daily Mail 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. 

Fortunately, the hole was discovered before any of the animals could escape.  

A police report later alleged the incidents were both a result of ‘criminal mischief’ spurring zoo staffers to implement a series of added security measures including the installation of additional cameras and increased security patrols at night.

A week later, a 35-year-old endangered vulture was found dead inside its habitat, causing the zoo to again go the the local police department, this time asking for help in its own investigation – which found that the vulture’s cause of death was from a wound. 

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

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

© Provided by Daily Mail

It was soon discerned the vulture’s passing was likely the result of foul play, with officials deeming it ‘suspicious.’

Two days later, the zoo again would find itself seemingly targeted, when two emperor tamarin monkeys went missing from their own enclosure, which also had been cut into.

Both monkeys were both found unharmed Tuesday, a day after they went missing, in an abandoned home just south of the zoo in Lancaster.


On January 21, a 35-year-old endangered vulture named Pin was found dead, with the zoo issuing a statement saying that its death did not appear to be 'natural'

© Provided by Daily Mail On January 21, a 35-year-old endangered vulture named Pin was found dead, with the zoo issuing a statement saying that its death did not appear to be ‘natural’


Two days later, the zoo again would find itself seemingly targeted, when two emperor tamarin monkeys went missing from their own enclosure, which also had been cut into. The were found an abandoned home on Tuesday. One of the monkeys are pictured in the home here

© Provided by Daily Mail Two days later, the zoo again would find itself seemingly targeted, when two emperor tamarin monkeys went missing from their own enclosure, which also had been cut into. The were found an abandoned home on Tuesday. One of the monkeys are pictured in the home here

Dallas police said they found the monkeys after receiving a tip  from an anonymous resident, and that he animals were located, safe, in a closet, and then returned to zoo for veterinary evaluation. 

Later that day, staffers at the zoo released a photo of an as-of-now unnamed man that investigators are looking to speak to about the animals, who used to work security at the facility.

The photo shows a young  walking through the zoo eating a bag of Doritos who they are trying to identify and speak to about the incident. Dallas PD told DailyMail.com the man has not been named as a suspect or a person of interest.


Dallas police are searching for this man believed to be in the area when two monkeys were stolen from the zoo on Sunday

© Provided by Daily Mail Dallas police are searching for this man believed to be in the area when two monkeys were stolen from the zoo on Sunday

In a statement last week, zoo officials reiterated that they would continue to protect their animals to the best of their ability amid the rash of incidents.

Ed Hansen, chief executive of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, said he could not recall a zoo facing similar incidents with such frequency.

‘It appears that somebody really has an issue with the Dallas Zoo,’ Hansen said.

Hansen, who described the Dallas Zoo’s reputation as ‘excellent’ within the industry, said accredited zoos have double-perimeter fencing and that a zoo as large as Dallas’ would have a security patrol.

But animals have escaped enclosures from the Dallas Zoo before.


Zoo officials would not provide any further details regarding the vulture's death, refusing to do so until police progress further with their investigation. Cops are pictured at the zoo - located just a six hours' drive from Broussard - last month

© Provided by Daily Mail Zoo officials would not provide any further details regarding the vulture’s death, refusing to do so until police progress further with their investigation. Cops are pictured at the zoo – located just a six hours’ drive from Broussard – last month

Most notably, a 340-pound gorilla named Jabari jumped over a wall in 2004 and went on a 40-minute rampage that injured three people before police shot and killed the animal.

Anyone with information about the suspect’s identity or whereabouts is encouraged to call (214) 671 -4509. 

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