Police are confident of finding the third missing monkey Gomez - one of three pygmy marmosets taken from the Symbio Wildlife Park at the weekend - saying "the sooner they're reunited as a family the better off they'll be".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Investigators are working across police commands as the hunt for the ten-year-old father Gomez continues on Monday.
"We've been working with Macquarie Fields police and Campbelltown police, so we're hopeful we can get a speedy recovery," Wollongong police crime manager Detective Inspector Brad Ainsworth told the media on Monday morning.
Detective Inspector Ainsworth couldn't elaborate on many details regarding the case given two men are fronting Campbelltown Local Court on Monday, charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime.
The crime manager was also unable to provide information on how police came to locate the two monkeys that have been found, only saying it was "members of the public coming forward and providing information via Crime Stoppers”.
Police have revealed the baby monkey was found in a car at the rear of a hotel in Appin on Sunday afternoon.
A second monkey, Sofia, was found after police inquiries led officers to a home in Campbelltown on Sunday evening.
Detective Inspector Ainsworth reissued a public appeal to find the monkey that remains missing.
"We're looking for the help of the public. The recovery of the two [monkeys] yesterday led to some good work and good information by members of the public via Crime Stoppers and we're hoping that will continue today [Monday],"
Symbio’s general manager, Matt Radnidge, told the Mercury it was critical to get Gomez back as soon as possible to avoid the social structure of the family disintegrating (watch his interview above).
“There's a couple of people out there that must have given some information, and they're the heroes of yesterday,” Mr Radnidge said.
“We're ecstatic at the result thus far, but still very concerned about the remaining animal,” he said.
The zoo’s four-week-old baby marmoset was reunited with her mum late on Sunday afternoon.
A post on Symbio’s Facebook page said: “Mum cradled the baby straight into her arms and bub immediately began to feed.
“Early observations this morning are promising, with two bright eyed twins observed on mums back - so a great result.”
Detective Inspector Ainsworth said CCTV footage from the zoo had been viewed by police, but the vision was of little assistance to investigators.
"There is footage there, but nothing that captures the enclosure the monkeys were taken," he said.
Anyone with information, Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
