Delaware News Hub
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Authorities say that the man who was arrested for the suspected theft from the Dallas Zoo of a pair emperor-tamarin monkeys earlier this week was also involved with tampering in other habitats at zoo.
Davion, 24 years old, was arrested on six counts for non-livestock animal cruelty related to the monkeys, according to a Dallas Police Department news release. Authorities took him into custody at Dallas World Aquarium. “believe that he was looking to commit another crime,” Kristin Lowman was the spokesperson for Dallas Police at Friday’s news conference.
The monkeys’ disappearance followed a series of suspicious incidents at the zoo in recent weeks involving a leopard, langur monkeys and vulture, all of which led to a hike in security, including more cameras, patrols and overnight staff.
Authorities say they’ve unraveled the mysteries and charged Irvin with burglary in connection to cuts in the zoo’s enclosures for the tamarin monkeys and clouded leopards. Police say he’s also been “linked” He was not charged in the case against the langur monkeys but he has been referred to that matter.
The zoo found a dead lappet-faced viper in its habitat on January 21. Lowman said Irvin is not currently charged in connection with that animal’s death, but authorities are continuing to investigate.
Although police declined to discuss the details of the investigation including the motive, they stated that they believe they have information about the fate of the tamarins. “We are aware of how he got the monkeys out,” Lowman said.
Jail records indicate that Irvin was still in Dallas County Jail Friday afternoon, on a $25,000 bond. It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney but Delaware News Hub inquired with the Dallas County Public Defender’s Office.
Officials from the Zoo say Irvin never had any connection to the zoo. As such, they have increased security around the facility. “This is really, truly unprecedented,” Gregg Hudson, CEO and president of the zoo, said.
Monday’s disappearance of the tamarin monkeys from their habitat was a sad day for them. “intentionally compromised,” Dallas Police also stated that they believed they were, according to the zoo. “intentionally taken from the enclosure.” Monday’s inclement weather closed the zoo. It had previously announced that it would close, but Wednesday’s closure was extended due to an ice storm.
They were found unharmed in an abandoned Lancaster home, Texas, 15 miles from the zoo. According to authorities, surveillance footage was used to tip police to the location of the monkeys. According to the zoo’s statement, the monkeys were quarantined after they returned to the zoo.
“Emperor tamarin monkeys, Bella and Finn, were so happy to snuggle into their nest sack here at the Zoo last night!” The Facebook post about the zoo. “Our veterinary and animal care teams have said, beyond losing a bit of weight, they show no signs of injury and both started eating and drinking almost immediately once the team completed health exams on Tuesday night.”
Nova, a clouded leopard, disappeared from Nova’s enclosure on Jan. 13. The zoo was closed for a search and Nova was found. Police launched a criminal investigation after they found the fence around Nova’s enclosure had been “intentionally cut,” They agreed. Nova was later found close to her habitat.
The zoo staff noticed a similar cut in the enclosure of some langur monkeys, but they had not escaped.
Hudson stated that the Zoo had to increase security by installing more cameras and increasing staffing and security personnel overnight. Restrictions were also placed on animals’ ability to go outside overnight, he added.
Pin, a lappet-faced bird named Pin, was found dead in the habitat on Jan. 21. “Circumstances of the death are unusual, and the death does not appear to be from natural causes,” Statement by the zoo
The bird’s death was “suspicious” It was a tragedy “an unusual wound and injuries,” Hudson stated.
Authorities are currently investigating the incident and Irvin is not being charged. The zoo is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of a suspect in the vulture’s death.