The Dallas Police Department (DPD) has released an image of a person of interest connected to the disappearance of two monkeys from the Dallas Zoo.
“Dallas Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the pictured individual,” the department tweeted. “Detectives are looking to speak with the man in regard to the two tamarin monkeys missing from the Dallas Zoo.”
Dallas Police are looking for the public’s help in identifying the pictured individual. Detectives are looking to speak with the man in regard to the two tamarin monkeys missing from the Dallas Zoo.
Anyone with information- call 214-671-4509. pic.twitter.com/VVvvHFAdgJ— Dallas Police Dept (@DallasPD) January 31, 2023
The person of interest has not yet been identified, and police are asking anyone with information to reach out to law enforcement.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, two of the zoo’s monkeys were discovered missing on Monday morning.
Kristin Lowman, a DPD public information officer, explained to The Dallas Express, “Officers responded and the preliminary investigation determined an intentional cut was made into a tamarin monkey enclosure at the zoo.”
“Two monkeys are missing, and it is believed the animals were intentionally taken from the enclosure,” she continued.
So far, no suspect has been identified, nor has any motive been publicly revealed.
Animal rights groups have suggested that while zoos might be a target of radical activists such as the Animal Liberation Front or Direct Action Now, other factors might be at play.
A representative from the Animal Connection of Texas explained to The Dallas Express, “It seems unlikely that these actions of sabotage were taken by animal liberationists.”
“Animal liberations are typically intended to raise awareness of animal exploitation, so most groups leave some indicator of their motive,” the group continued.
“Exotic animals like these emperor tamarin monkeys are often threatened by the exotic pet trade, where they are taken from their homes and sold at high dollar prices,” Animal Connection claimed.
“There is little oversight of the sale and ownership of exotic animals in Texas, which could make it easy for thieves to offload these monkeys to a buyer.”
“This incident is a prime example of the perverse incentives that are created when animals are treated like commodities,” the group concluded.
The Dallas Express reached out to the Dallas Zoo for comment but did not receive a response before publication.