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OFFBEAT

Monkey ‘gymnast’ on Autobahn stumps cops

Police had some trouble luring a capuchin monkey after someone reported that it was "doing gymnastics" next to the Autobahn in west Germany.

Published: 29 October 2015 14:59 CET
Monkey 'gymnast' on Autobahn stumps cops
A stock photo of a capuchin monkey. Photo: DPA.

Two officers were a bit perplexed and skeptical about a report on Tuesday afternoon that there was a “monkey doing gymnastics on a guardrail” of the Autobahn near the Rheine-Nord exit in western Germany, according to a police report on Wednesday.

But when the officers arrived, they realized the report was completely true. They discovered the little capuchin monkeying about on a soundproofing wall on the roadway towards Amsterdam.

The officers called a nearby zoo to see if they were missing such an animal, but they were fully stocked. The officers then discovered that a family in the area had a license to own the furry creatures.

Despite their best efforts at luring it with chocolate, officers were unable to entice the monkey down from a tree it had hopped into.

In the end, they had no option but to call a licensed hunter who shot the creature with a tranquilizer dart.

Once the anesthesia had taken effect on the monkey they were able to retrieve him.

Police said it is still not clear how the monkey got onto the motorway.

Capuchin monkeys are beloved pets for many people and can be trained to perform complex feats – like this monkey in Japan who has learned to use a vending machine:

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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