Two rare monkeys stolen from farm

The monkeys had been donated to the farm. Photo: Bristol Zoo

Two rare monkeys have been stolen from a farm in County Durham.

The pair of Goeldi's monkeys, which are worth about £4,000, were taken from their cage at Tweddle Animal Farm, Blackhall Colliery, overnight.

Durham Police said it was thought there were only 10 in captivity in this country. They had been donated to the farm and it was hoped they would breed.

Farm owner Denise Wayman said they were devastated by the theft and were concerned for the monkeys' welfare.

Mrs Wayman said the animals had been donated to the farm from a primate sanctuary and it was hoped that they would breed.

Taken asleep

She said: "They are an exotic animal and they are not easy to look after. They are not pets.

"I would say to whoever has taken them to return them so we can put them back on the breeding programme."

Mrs Wayman said they needed access to heat and the farm had been feeding them a special diet including vitamins and supplements.

The monkeys are native to South America. The farm has had them since Christmas and she said they had been a popular attraction.

It is the second time the farm has been targeted by burglars in recent weeks. In May, two African Grey Parrots were stolen.

Pc George Gaskin from Durham Police said: "The main concern is their welfare as, if they don't get the correct care they need, they could come to serious harm

"It's believed the monkeys were taken from their cage while they were asleep as they are extremely agile and would have been very difficult to catch and handle had they been alert."

Four walkie-talkie radios and £50 in cash were also taken.