Monkey theft, leopard escape at Dallas Zoo raise questions about safety of animals

Stephanie Sy:

Irvin has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty, in connection to the monkey heist at the Dallas Zoo and two counts of burglary.

According to court documents, Irvin told authorities he loves animals, and that, if released, he would steal more. Bella and Finn were found in a closet in an abandoned home in Lancaster, a suburb of Dallas roughly 15 miles from the zoo. Beyond losing weight, they showed no sign of injury.

Meanwhile, in Louisiana the search for 12 squirrel monkeys continues after they were stolen from Zoosiana on January 28. The private zoo is located just outside Lafayette.

Zookeeper Ed Hansen says accredited institutions like the Dallas Zoo and Zoosiana are required to meet safety standards, but that, broadly speaking, security measures at zoos are primarily to protect people, rather than animals.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7sa7SZ6arn1%2Bjsri%2Fx6isq2ejnby4e8yopaSdqWLBqbHFrWSlnZ%2BlrrOwjJ6qnJmgmnqiwIydmKWkkah6u7vOZqmaoaOaerLBxKyroqeeqHqirs6uq2arkZuytcWMqJ1mmZ6euqK40g%3D%3D