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Dead Monkey With Part Of Its Face Missing Found In London

Dead Monkey With Part Of Its Face Missing Found In London

The authorities can't rule out 'foul play'

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

A woman living in North London made a gruesome discovery on Friday night when she discovered a dead monkey with part of its face missing lying on her street.

The death of the monkey is now being investigated by the RSPCA and there is a still a suspicion that 'foul play' was involved in the poor animal's death.

The monkey was found on a street in Edmonton and the woman immediately called both the RSPCA and Monkey World - another charity - and the investigation commenced.

The animal is thought to have suffered severe trauma, although the exact cause of death is not known.

RSPCA

RSPCA Animal Welfare Officer Phillip Heyes, who arrived on the scene to collect the body of the unfortunate primate, said: "The lady found the monkey's body lying in the road by the entrance to a block of flats and suspects it may have been run over.

"She wasn't sure what to do so she contacted Monkey World who told her to report the discovery to us.

"Where this monkey came from remains a mystery."

"The most likely explanation is that this marmoset was kept as a pet and either escaped from its home and was tragically killed on the road or the body was dumped after it died naturally.

"However, we can't rule out any foul play and we'd be keen to hear from anyone with any information."

A marmoset.
PA

Despite the RSPCA campaigning against it, owning primates is perfectly legal in the UK. Marmosets such as this one are the most commonly owned and traded type of monkey.

Monkey World, a centre for rescued apes in Wareham, Dorset, also believe that primates should not be allowed to be kept as pets in the UK.

Charity director Dr. Alison Cronin, said: "This is not the first time this year that Monkey World has been called about a marmoset loose on the streets of London. We were able to rescue the first individual but sadly this one died a tragic and seemingly violent death.

"We have asked the Government, and met with George Eustace [Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food], about the out of control and unregulated trade in monkeys as pets in UK and nothing has been done. Now they are dying on the streets of London."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Weird, UK, Animals