Brazilian couple arrested for drugging and attempting to kidnap monkeys

A Brazilian couple, identified as Luis Siqueira and Sarah Silva, was arrested on Monday for drugging and attempting to kidnap monkeys at Jardim Botânico, a botanical garden in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro. The couple allegedly used bananas laced with clonazepam to sedate the monkeys.

Suspicious behavior leads to arrest

Employees at Jardim Botânico became aware of the couple’s actions after observing unusual behavior from a monkey in the enclosure on September 1st. One employee recorded footage of a monkey struggling to stand and falling after losing its balance. Further investigation through CCTV footage revealed Siqueira and Silva engaging in suspicious activities at the monkey enclosure.

The monkeys were taken to the Free Life Institute, a local non-profit organization, for assessment. Tests confirmed that the monkeys had been drugged, and there were concerns that breastfeeding monkeys might have had their babies separated from them. Park veterinarians suspect that these babies may have been targeted by animal traffickers.

Couple caught returning with more drugs

Siqueira and Silva were caught returning to the park on Monday with additional doses of clonazepam. Park employees, monitoring through CCTV, alerted law enforcement. Officers from Leblon station apprehended the suspects and found bananas and clonazepam in their possession.

Charges and park response

The case was filed at the Gávea police station. Siqueira and Silva face two counts of environmental crimes, each carrying penalties ranging from three months to a year in prison. Following this incident, Jardim Botânico has intensified surveillance of the monkey enclosures, increasing staff presence and installing additional security cameras.

Marina Bordin, the botanical garden’s fauna supervisor, emphasized that such incidents have detrimental effects on the park’s entire ecosystem.