Fourteen monkeys were stolen from a French wildlife sanctuary, with five belonging to a critically endangered species.
Monkeys stolen from sanctuary
Fourteen monkeys were stolen from the Lescar wildlife sanctuary in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, announced its director on Tuesday, October 27. The incident has raised concerns about wildlife trafficking in the region.Endangered species targeted
The director noted that five of the stolen monkeys belong to a species classified as critically endangered. This highlights the potential impact of the theft on conservation efforts and biodiversity.Wildlife trafficking concerns
The director pointed to the black market as the likely reason behind the theft. Wildlife trafficking is a global issue, often driven by demand for rare animals in illegal trade networks.Sanctuary response
Authorities have been alerted, and the sanctuary is working with local law enforcement to investigate the incident. The director expressed hope that the monkeys can be recovered and returned safely.