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Bearded monkey Ruma: “No external injuries”

Photo: Leipzig Zoo/dpa

Relief at Leipzig Zoo: The stolen bearded monkey is back. The zoo said the animal was discovered this morning in the Leipzig district of Reudnitz, a few kilometers away. A team of zookeepers brought back the 15-year-old female named Ruma. The monkey was stolen from its enclosure during a break-in on the night of Easter Sunday.

A jogger reported to the police on Thursday morning around 7:15 a.m. and said that he had spotted the bearded monkey in a tree, reported police spokesman Olaf Hoppe. The zoo team moved out immediately. In the meantime, the monkey ran into a nearby apartment building and was caught in the stairwell with a landing net.

Probably released again

»We are relieved that our female bearded monkey is doing well after an initial check. There are no external injuries visible, but she appears weakened," explained zoo director Junhold. He thanked the whistleblower who discovered the monkey in the tree.

It is still unclear who was behind the crime and what the motive was. »It's a matter of burglary and theft. The evidence was very clear,” said police spokesman Hoppe. The police will now expand their investigation to the Reudnitz district, where the bearded monkey was discovered.

It is suspected that the stolen monkey was released again due to public reporting, the police said. The animal was probably released near where it was found, said the zoo's senior curator, Johannes Pfleiderer. Although the monkey could have moved from tree to tree on its own, it is unlikely that it traveled several kilometers through the city. The zoo has taken measures to ensure additional security, especially at night.

“You also have the option of turning yourself in to the police.”

On Thursday, Ruma was initially supposed to recover unobserved by visitors. She should probably return to her outdoor area with her twelve-year-old companion on Friday, said the responsible area manager Janet Pambor.

The police are investigating suspected particularly serious theft. This is also a special case for the investigators, said Hoppe. The last animal theft at Leipzig Zoo was 22 years ago. At that time two young crocodiles went missing. They reappeared on the zoo grounds a short time later. Hoppe also appealed to the conscience of the perpetrator or perpetrators: "You also have the option of turning yourself in to the police."

bbr/dpa