After the theft of two emperor tamarins, the death of an endangered vulture under “unusual” circumstances and the escape of a clouded leopard from its intentionally compromised enclosure, the Dallas Police Department said Tuesday it may finally have a lead to unravel a series of strange events at the Dallas Zoo.
Police asked for the public’s help in identifying a man they want to speak to “regarding the two tamarin monkeys” that were taken from their compound.
Dallas police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the person in this photo.
(Dallas Police Department)
The tamarin monkeys’ habitat “had been intentionally compromised” when care staff discovered two of the animals were missing Monday morning.
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The tamarin monkeys, known for their long mustache-like whiskers, likely would have stayed close to home if they had left their enclosure voluntarily, according to the zoo.
FILE PHOTO: Emperor tamarins are known for their long white whiskers that resemble a loose mustache.
(Klaus-Dietmar Gabbert/Image Alliance via Getty Images)
The theft came about three weeks after an opening was intentionally cut in the zoo enclosure for the langur monkeys, though none of the primates escaped in that instance.
A clouded leopard named Nova also escaped from its enclosure earlier this month, prompting an hours-long search for the big cat. Ultimately, Nova was found still on the zoo grounds.
In this undated photo provided by the Dallas Zoo, a clouded leopard named Nova rests on a tree branch in an enclosure.
(Dallas Zoo via AP)
An endangered vulture was also found dead under “unusual” circumstances on January 22, prompting the zoo to add additional security cameras and increase security patrols at night.
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The Dallas Zoo, founded in 1888, is home to more than 2,000 animals spread across 106 acres.
Anyone with information can call the Dallas Police Department at 214-671-4509.
