Elite French gendarmes have recovered a group of critically endangered monkeys stolen during a break-in at a zoo in south-western France.
The thieves allegedly demanded a ransom from Exotic Park in Lescar, warning that the eight marmosets and five cotton-top tamarins would otherwise be sold through the illegal wildlife trade.
The primates were taken during a night-time raid last week. Cotton-top tamarins are particularly easy to identify because of their distinctive white crests, and the species faces an extremely high risk of extinction.
The rescue was carried out by GIGN, France’s elite gendarmerie unit, which handles counter-terrorism missions, hostage situations and complex surveillance operations.
The local prosecutor’s office said monitoring social media showed that the monkeys were already being advertised for sale. That discovery, combined with the ransom demand made to the zoo’s owner, prompted authorities to move quickly.
Investigators reportedly traced the suspects using security camera recordings from the zoo, along with digital geolocation information, prosecutors said.
Two men have been arrested and remain in custody, according to local reports. A woman was also questioned on suspicion of receiving stolen property but was later released. All three deny taking part in the theft.
Searches of the suspects’ homes uncovered 11 primates in stable condition, €1,500 (£1,300) in cash and five hunting rifles allegedly held illegally.
A cotton-top tamarin, one of the endangered species targeted in the theft at Lescar Zoo
The alleged kidnappers threatened to sell eight marmosets and five cotton-top tamarins. Pictured: A marmoset eating at a zoo (File image)
Two of the stolen monkeys are still missing, while another escaped during the break-in and was later found sheltering inside the zoo’s wallaby enclosure. Staff safely recovered that animal.
The zoo has now been reunited with most of the primates, although efforts are continuing to locate the remaining two.
Guillaume Darzacq, director of Exotic Park, said the intruders forced their way into the site shortly before 7.30pm last Monday.
Speaking to French broadcaster TF1, he said the stolen animals included “entire families, including young ones” and could have been worth “a small fortune on the black market”.
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Mr Darzacq explained that some of the monkeys had previously been rescued from abusive illegal owners, while others had been born at the French zoo.
In a statement issued on Friday night, Exotic Park said: “Almost all of the monkeys have been recovered by the gendarmerie. We are doing everything possible to ensure the remaining ones are returned very, very soon.”
Addressing questions about security at the park, the zoo added: “NO SECURITY AT THE PARK? On the contrary, there is! In fact, it was thanks to this system that the situation could be resolved so quickly, leading us straight to those who had taken them.”
According to the zoo, the burglars used a chisel to force open doors and a crowbar to break through windows fitted with anti-intrusion protection.
The endangered monkeys were taken during a night-time raid last week
“However, the park is equipped with alarms, an extensive video surveillance network and staff present on-site throughout the night…”
‘THANK YOU to the investigators for their incredible work and dedication, THANK YOU to our zookeepers for their courage and love for the animals, and above all, THANK YOU to all of you for sharing our posts and for your support.
‘Every year, zoos—both in France and around the world—fall victim to thefts, and very often, the animals are never found… Let’s keep up the fight for those who are still missing.’
The zoo also denied rumours online that the incident had been staged for publicity or that employees were in on it.
Exotic Park said: ‘We are hearing some truly appalling accusations. Reading such things is scandalous.
‘Absolutely no member of staff is under suspicion. As a reminder, false accusation is a very serious offence punishable by law, and being accused when you are the victim is extremely difficult to cope with.
‘Every year, zoos fall victim to thefts, both in France and around the world. Very often, the animals are never found.’
The zoo remains open.