Zoo Attack Suspects Being Hunted After Killing Monkey in Idaho Zoo (VIDEO)
Police are searching for two suspects who allegedly broke into an Idaho zoo and beat a monkey to death before fleeing the scene.
Police have said that they are looking for two male suspects who were spotted on camera wearing dark clothing and breaking into Zoo Boise at around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, according to the Associated Press.
"I've been here for 15 years and we haven't had anything like this happen," Zoo Boise Director Steve Burns told AP. "It's unfortunate that we have to let kids know that something like this happens. Monkeys are always among the most favorite animals here."
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Burns found the monkey after responding to what he believed to be a human groan. Instead he found a Patas monkey lying severely injured on the floor, near the perimeter gate. The zoo's vets were called but the monkey did not survive. He was pronounced dead Saturday at 6 a.m. due to a blunt force injury on his head.
Patas monkeys are native to West Africa and parts of East Africa, where they typically live in large groups. Males live amongst males and females amongst females with the exception of one male monkey and male monkeys under the age of four, which is before sexual maturation.
The zoo reported the no other animals had gone missing or were injured. Only one Patas monkey remains at the zoo although he may be relocated where he will have other Patas monkeys to socialize with.
"They're not endangered in the wild, but there are not many in zoos in the United States," Burns said. "Monkeys are social animals. We only have one."
A grey baseball cap was found at the scene. Police hope to use the cap in order to trace down the suspects involved in the attack.
Here is a video of a Patas Monkey.
