[REVISION HISTORY]
Lescar Zoo primate theft
1 recorded revision of this situation.
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2026-10-30 19:35 UTC → 2026-10-31 10:05 UTC ·
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On October 27, 2026, fourteen primates, including nine marmosets and five pied tamarins, were stolen from the Lescar Zoo near Pau in southwestern France. Zoo director Guillaume Darzacq reported that the thieves targeted specific enclosures by opening a secure window designed to open only from the inside. Darzacq expressed concern that the animals, many of whom were rescues from previous abuse or trafficking, might be returned to the black market. By October 30, authorities recovered eleven of the stolen monkeys in Tarbes. Investigators determined that the thieves used chisels and crowbars to break through doors and anti-intrusion windows. While the zoo director initially suspected an organized trafficking ring, investigators stated that the arrested individuals do not appear to belong to a previously identified network. A fourteenth monkey was located hidden within the zoo park shortly after the initial incident. The stolen animals included entire families with young animals, which Darzacq noted hold significant value on the black market. The pied tamarins are a species classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Although the recovered animals are reported to be in good physical condition, they have experienced trauma. While the zoo stated that its alarm systems and video surveillance helped expedite the investigation, the facility had previously faced accusations of negligence.
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