Owner of wandering monkey wants him back
TORONTO (AP) — The owner of a monkey caught wandering outside a Toronto Ikea store this weekend said Tuesday the tiny primate rarely left her side until he was confiscated by authorities — and she wants him back.
Yasmin Nakhuda said she initially tried to return the monkey to the breeder who supplied him, but changed her mind after hearing his heartbroken cries.
After that, Nakhuda said the pet she named Darwin was near her at all times, including while she slept and showered.
"At the beginning, I was told that was the best for him because generally, monkeys live off the back of the mom," she said.
"He always had to be within my view," she said, adding that he would "get into a panic attack" the moment she was out of sight.
The young monkey captured worldwide attention after he somehow let himself out of a parked car Sunday and ambled around the Ikea parking lot dressed in a fitted shearling coat.
He was eventually captured by animal control officers and was moved on Monday to a primate sanctuary about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Toronto.
Nakhuda, who was fined $240 for breaking the city's prohibited-animal bylaw, said she is consulting a lawyer to see if she can regain custody of the pet she considers part of her family.
At the very least, the Toronto real estate lawyer said she would like to be involved in his transition to the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, in Sunderland, Ontario.
She said she's concerned about his wellbeing at the facility, noting he has shown signs in the past of disliking his own kind.
Animal services spokeswoman Mary Lou Leiher said Monday that Darwin was stressed out but otherwise fine.
Yasmin Nakhuda said she initially tried to return the monkey to the breeder who supplied him, but changed her mind after hearing his heartbroken cries.
After that, Nakhuda said the pet she named Darwin was near her at all times, including while she slept and showered.
"At the beginning, I was told that was the best for him because generally, monkeys live off the back of the mom," she said.
"He always had to be within my view," she said, adding that he would "get into a panic attack" the moment she was out of sight.
The young monkey captured worldwide attention after he somehow let himself out of a parked car Sunday and ambled around the Ikea parking lot dressed in a fitted shearling coat.
He was eventually captured by animal control officers and was moved on Monday to a primate sanctuary about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Toronto.
Nakhuda, who was fined $240 for breaking the city's prohibited-animal bylaw, said she is consulting a lawyer to see if she can regain custody of the pet she considers part of her family.
At the very least, the Toronto real estate lawyer said she would like to be involved in his transition to the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, in Sunderland, Ontario.
She said she's concerned about his wellbeing at the facility, noting he has shown signs in the past of disliking his own kind.
Animal services spokeswoman Mary Lou Leiher said Monday that Darwin was stressed out but otherwise fine.
Awww I want that monkey. I wouldn't ever leave him in a car. So cute, I took anthropology and read the primatology chapter.
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For some reason I kept thinking of THIS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo9riZYUpTw
cover me, darling, please...
Trunk Monkey, Artic Edition!
If he always had to have her in view and had panic attacks when not by her side, why was he left in the car?
Putting Torontoâs animal law aside, imagine your dog or cat wandered off and being caught and you are not allowed to get it back. Not only that you are told your domesticate pet will be put in a wild sanctuary. I feel for the owner Iâm pretty sure the monkey and owner is stressed from being apart. Â Wonder if the monkey got out of the car looking for its owner? I know my dog would do the same if was smart enough.
 @Nathan Boi This isn't a domesticated dog.  Darwin is a wild animal and should never be a pet. He belongs in the wild and since he isn't be deserves to live his life in a sanctuary.Â
Suuuuure......now that the little feller has gone viral, and she knows she can make MONEY off of him, she wants him back, Pffffft.