Officials: Person lurking, signs of break-in noticed after monkey snatched from zoo
A “priceless” monkey is missing and the Palm Beach Zoo and Conservation Society wants her back.
West Palm Beach police are looking for Kali, a 12-year-old Goeldi’s monkey that was stolen from the zoo early Monday morning.
Kali was last seen around 6 p.m. Sunday when keepers were closing up for the night, zoo officials said.
Surveillance video shows a shadowy figure lurking along the west side perimeter of the zoo about 1 a.m. Monday. Security cameras recorded someone walking north along the west perimeter of the zoo a short time later.
Zoo staff also found signs of forced entry at the habitat where Kali lived, officials said.
“Our animal staff noticed that the mesh on her enclosure was cut open,” said Margo McKnight, zoo president and CEO. “We immediately examined habitats throughout the zoo before determining this was an isolated incident.”
The primate weighs about one
pound, is fully immunized, and has an implanted identification microchip, but she also has health issues that require anti-inflammatory medication daily, officials said.
“Kali requires a specialized diet and care," said Nancy Nill, associate curator of animal wellness, in a statement.
A Goeldi’s monkey, especially females, can fetch upward of $10,000 on the black market, officials said.
“This very small and rare monkey is increasingly sought after for the illegal pet trade,” said McKnight. “We don’t buy and sell our animals. We work in collaboration with other zoos to save species. Kali and her well-being is priceless.”
Kali came to the zoo from Milwaukee in 2009 for possible breeding.
Kali was one of five Goeldi’s monkeys at the Palm Beach Zoo. Also known as Callimicos, these monkeys are an endangered species from the Amazon region and are known for their close family ties.
Zoo staff and police are asking anyone with any information about Kali’s disappearance to contact Palm Beach County Crime Stoppers at 800-458-8477 or online at crimestopperspbc.com. Anonymous tips are eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.