Breaking: Two foster monkeys loose in Petworth
/The two Squirrel Monkeys before they got out.
Of all the days… a resident in 16th Street Heights reported that her two foster squirrel monkeys have escaped their enclosure at her house and now are loose in the neighborhood.
Tom-Tom and Petunia are from the rain forests in the Amazon, and were rescued from an illegal import scam. The monkeys are looking for a permanent, forever home here in the States, but until then, were being fostered by resident Peggy Pacy, who lives off of 14th Street.
“I thought these little darlings were adorable,” Peggy said. “I offered my home as a refuge while the Humane Society of America finds a permanent place for them.”
Peggy said she bought all sorts of toys for the monkeys to play with, including a little music box. (I mean, come on, who doesn’t want to see a little monkey playing a music box?)
"I’m told they will not hurt dogs or cats but might eat their food,” Peggy wrote in an email to the local listserv. “They may approach you as they are used to humans."
Peggy said she went to give the monkeys their morning bananas and greek yogurt when she discovered Tom-Tom and Petunia had unlocked their cage sometime during the night. She had a camera set up to watch the two little rascals, and captured this image:
Camera screenshot from during the night at Peggy’s house
“I’m really sad and scared for Tom-Tom and Petunia,” Peggy said. “They seemed so happy in their enclosure. They had a couch, a couple dozen toys and a small TV with Animal Planet. Not sure why they’d leave?”
Peggy’s outdoor camera captured this photo late in the evening… perhaps a cab or Uber?
Security camera footage
If you see Tom-Tom and Petunia, remember they are docile, safe and enjoy popcorn and Narragansett beer.
Happy April 1st! Tip of the Hat to Peggy Pacy for her email and for her willingness to do the article!
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