Rare monkey stolen from sanctuary

Cola is smaller than most squirrel monkeys

A rare monkey has been stolen from an animal sanctuary in the Black Country.

The young squirrel monkey, nicknamed Cola, was taken from Brockswood animal sanctuary in Sedgley.

Cola, who has been described as smaller than the average squirrel monkey, was stolen in an incident being treated as burglary, West Midlands Police said.

The monkey was taken between Sunday night and Monday morning and had been at the sanctuary for five years, the force added.

He is mainly tan in colour with darker hair on his head, police added.

Pc Jamie Follows, from Dudley police station, said the management at the sanctuary were "obviously concerned" about the welfare of this monkey.

Pc Follows added: "The centre is well known locally and I'm sure many people will be upset to hear of this crime.

"This is an unusual animal for anyone to keep as a pet and we are keen to speak to anyone who might know of Cola's whereabouts, or has been offered a monkey for sale."

Anyone with information has been asked to contact Dudley police station or Crimestoppers.