Two baby emperor tamarins were stolen overnight from Saturday to Sunday from the La Palmyre Zoo, near Royan, in Charente-Maritime. The theft was discovered Sunday morning by the zoo's management, who immediately alerted the police. An investigation has been opened and entrusted to the Rochefort research brigade.
The two young primates were born on June 21st and weighed only a few dozen grams. Less than a month old, they are not yet weaned, raising concerns about their chances of survival outside their natural environment and without their mother's care.
The thieves forced their way into the park
According to initial findings, the perpetrator(s) entered the zoo after cutting through the perimeter fence. They then forced the padlock on the tamarin enclosure before stealing the two young monkeys. At this stage, no suspect has been identified.
The investigation could be complicated by the lack of a CCTV system at the facility. The police are continuing their investigation to recover the animals and identify those responsible for the theft.
A species regularly targeted by traffickers
Native to the rainforests of southwestern Amazonia, the emperor tamarin is recognizable by its long white whiskers, which gave it its name. As an adult, this small primate measures approximately 25 centimeters and weighs less than 500 grams.
Although the species is not considered endangered, it is regularly targeted by thefts for the exotic animal trade. Emperor tamarins have already been stolen from several zoos, notably in Lyon in 2011, from a sanctuary in northern France in 2016, from Blackpool Zoo in the UK in 2014, and from Dallas Zoo in the US in 2023. Authorities hope to quickly recover the two young primates, whose dependent state makes every hour crucial for their survival.
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