Monkeys missing from Dallas Zoo found in abandoned home

Police believe two emperor tamarin monkeys - shown here in a file photo - were taken

Two monkeys taken from Dallas Zoo in Texas have been found in an abandoned home, as police continue to search for a person of interest in the case.

The incident is the latest in a series of suspicious events at the zoo, including the death of a vulture.

Police were alerted on Monday that two emperor tamarin monkeys were missing.

Zoo staff believe they were taken because this breed would typically stay close to home - and the monkeys were not located on zoo grounds.

Dallas police said on Tuesday that they had found the monkeys in a closet of an abandoned home in Lancaster, about 16 miles (26km) from Dallas, and that they had been returned to the zoo.

The police searched the home after receiving a tip, according to a statement seen by the BBC.

"We are thrilled beyond belief to share that our two emperor tamarin monkeys have been found," the zoo said in a statement.

Police "called our team to come secure and transport the tamarins back to the Zoo," they continued, adding that veterinarians would inspect the animals on Tuesday evening.

The discovery came after Dallas police earlier on Tuesday asked the public for help identifying a man seen by cameras wandering around the zoo before the animals went missing.

Police said they believed someone had cut an opening in the habitat and taken the two primates.

A string of suspicious incidents began at the zoo earlier this month when a young clouded leopard escaped from its exhibit through a cut-out hole. It was later found safely.

Workers also found deliberate cuts on an enclosure housing langur monkeys - though none got out.

Last week, an endangered vulture was found dead in its enclosure with an "unusual wound". The bird was one of only 6,500 on the planet and its death was deemed "very suspicious".

Zoo staff said losing the 35-year-old lappet-faced vulture called Pin was devastating, adding he would be "missed dearly by everyone".

No arrests have been made in any of the investigations, and Dallas police have refused to say if the incidents are linked.

Since the suspicious occurrences began, the zoo has added extra cameras and increased its security patrols at night.

Ed Hansen, chief executive of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, said it appeared that someone "really has an issue with the Dallas Zoo", but that the zoo had an "excellent" reputation in the industry.

Emperor tamarin monkeys are distinctive for their long white whiskers that resemble moustaches. It is believed they were named after Germany's last emperor, Wilhelm II, who also had a moustache.

The zoo sits on 106 acres (43 hectares), housing more than 2,000 animals, and is the oldest and largest zoo in Texas.

It made headlines in 2004 when a 300lb (136kg) gorilla escaped from its enclosure, injuring four people before being shot to death.