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Police in London are today hunting for an animal thief after an endangered squirrel monkey was stolen from a zoo. The two–year-old squirrel monkey, called SpongeBob, is believed to have been taken from the zoo at Chessington World of Adventures in south-west London after a break-in was discovered yesterday morning. Nine other monkeys in his troop were found near or in their enclosure but SpongeBob, a breeding male brought to England from South Africa at the end of last year, was not among them. Police and zoo officials believe this was a 'pre-planned strike' and are concerned for the safety of the endangered animal, which has a highly specialised diet. 'Bob is a two-year old male who has only been at Chessington for three months,' said Sonia Freeman, head of mammals at the zoo. 'He had been especially selected through the European endangered species programme to be introduced into the group of females as a breeding male, and he was successfully integrating with the group. We are devastated that he is gone as he is a much loved member of the zoo with his cheeky personality.' It is believed that the thief deliberately targeted SpongeBob, the only breeding male in the group, and may be planning to sell him on the black market. 'We are actively investigating this incident; we have concerns for the safety and welfare of this endangered squirrel monkey,' Detective Constable David Burton of the Metropolitan police said. 'If seen we recommend you do not approach him as he may be in distress due to being in an unknown environment, please contact police immediately.' Squirrel monkeys are native to the rainforests of Central and South America and three species are on the world's endangered list. They are also said to be among the most intelligent of animals, with the highest proportionate brain size of all primates.
