The monkey had severe injuries caused by a rope that was tied around the chest, cutting her skin.
/ Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Limón courtesy photo




















































































Published Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Infant congo ape found
in captivity dies



By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

A raid led by the Deputy Prosecutor's Office of Limón found a female infant mantled howler, so-called Congo ape, in captivity in a house located in the Limoncito District in Limón Province.

The Congo ape (Alouatta palliata) is also known as a mantled howler or golden-mantled howling monkey.

According to the report of the Judicial Investigation Organization, the search was carried out as part of an operation related to drug trafficking. However, during the search of the suspect's house, the animal was found.

Due to the animal's poor health, the Prosecutor's Office ordered the delivery of the mammal to the Jaguar Rescue Center, located in the Cocles sector, in the same province.

"The monkey had severe injuries caused by a rope that was tied around the chest, cutting her skin," the Prosecutor's Office said in its statement.

At the rescue center, they proceeded to heal the monkey's wounds. The animal specialists reported finding the animal’s health very weak and suffering from body pain including a broken left finger. It is unknown how long the monkey spent in that state.

On Tuesday it was reported that the baby animal died. This species is in danger of extinction in our country, the Prosecutor said.

The people living in the house where the animal was found were identified with the surnames Dwayne- Samuels, Esquivel- Brenes, Nicolas- Davis and Kadaine- Samuels. The Prosecutor's Office notified them of the opening of an investigation for violation of the Wildlife Law.

In addition to the confiscation of the animal, the judicial agents seized three 9mm caliber weapons. Expanding the Prosecutors investigation to include the crime of illegal possession of weapons.

No drugs were found in the operation.



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