Name: Lemur on the loose: Police investigate possible burglary of ‘highly endangered’ animal at S.F. Zoo
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Lemur on the loose: Police investigate possible burglary of ‘highly endangered’ animal at S.F. Zoo

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This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateSan Francisco Zoo officials said Maki, a 21-year-old male ring-tailed lemur, was missing Wednesday, and police are investigating the matter as a possible burglary.Police were alerted Wednesday morning about an overnight burglary at the zoo. Officers found evidence of forced entry into the animal enclosure that housed the lemur, the Lipman Family Lemur Forest habitat, and are investigating a possible break-in.Lemurs are highly endangered and are native only to Madagascar, zoo officials said. Maki, born at San Francisco Zoo, is one of its oldest lemurs and requires a specialized diet. He’s already exceeded the median life expectancy of 16.7 years, making him the slowest and easiest to catch among the zoo’s 19 lemurs, officials said. His only offspring is at the zoo.“We understand that lemurs are adorable animals, but Maki is a highly endangered animal that requires special care. We are asking the public for help in his return,” said Dr. Jason Watters, the zoo’s executive vice president of animal behavior and wellness.Zoo officials said video footage is being reviewed, and referred additional questions about Maki to police, who have not responded to requests for more information.More for youThe Lipman Family Lemur Forest is the largest outdoor lemur habitat in North America, and houses seven species of lemurs. The ring-tailed lemur is the most recognizable species, with its gray fur and black and white striped tail.It is illegal to own lemurs as pets in California. Theft of an endangered animal is a federal crime punishable by up to a year in prison.This isn’t the first time a lemur has gone missing from a California zoo, and S.F. Zoo officials cited thriving black markets for the animals in Florida and Texas. In 2018, 32-year-old Isaac — the oldest ring-tailed lemur in North America — . Officials said an intruder used bolt cutters and released monkeys and lemurs. Isaac was recovered later that day after someone left him in a plastic storage container at a hotel. Aquinas Kasbar, 19, of Newport Beach (Orange County) was arrested as the culprit, convicted and sentenced.Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.At San Francisco’s zoo, Banana Sun the squirrel monkey was stolen in 2011 and then recovered. In 2000, two koalas were stolen and recovered.Police asked that anyone who sees Maki call 911 and provide the animal’s location and a description of the person who has him. Additional information about the incident can also be reported to the police 24-hour tip line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411.Vanessa Arredondo is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: Twitter:Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Area’s largest water districts.

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigateSan Francisco Zoo officials said Maki, a 21-year-old male ring-tailed lemur, was missing Wednesday, and police are investigating the matter as a possible burglary.Police were alerted Wednesday morning about an overnight burglary at the zoo. Officers found evidence of forced entry into the animal enclosure that housed the lemur, the Lipman Family Lemur Forest habitat, and are investigating a possible break-in.Lemurs are highly endangered and are native only to Madagascar, zoo officials said. Maki, born at San Francisco Zoo, is one...

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Lemur on the loose: Police investigate possible burglary of ‘highly endangered’ animal at S.F. Zoo

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