According to Wright Park Zoo officials, a monkey who was ʜᴜʀᴛ last month while attempting to defend his son from an invader has ᴅɪᴇᴅ as a result of his ɪɴᴊᴜʀɪᴇs.
Vern, a 32-year-old monkey, was a member of the Wright Park Zoo’s Capuchin Monkey troop in Dodge City, Kansas.
‘Vern was found unconscious by workers early in the morning, and while the Zoo’s contracted veterinarian tried everything they could to resuscitate him, he passed ᴅᴇᴀᴅ at the vet clinic,’ said the notice on Tuesday. ‘At this moment, the cause of his abrupt deterioration is unknown; however, a necropsy will be performed to try to discover the cause.’ Vern’s earlier injuries were caused by a break-in at the monkey enclosure on September 3.
Pickett was subsequently discovered between East Comanche Street and Avenue P on the east side of Dodge City, according to city officials.
That is around two kilometers from Wright Park Zoo.
The break-in and following inquiry became public after they discovered Vern with a damaged kneecap that morning.
In a press statement, Dodge City Police Chief Drew Francis stated that they suspected foul play. ‘We do not believe the small monkey, Pickett, found his way outside the enclosure on his own,’ he stated, citing the DCPD’s investigation as of today.
‘We also don’t believe he got to where he was discovered on his own.’ His father’s condition looks to be the result of more severe blunt force ᴅᴀᴍᴀɢᴇ than would be expected from a fall.’
Officers claimed Vern was attempting to defend Pickett when he was ɪɴᴊᴜʀᴇᴅ.
According to zoo officials, the facility did not have cameras at the time, and there is no video of the claimed break-in.
Cameras have since been added.
‘Vern is highly protective of the younger monkey and would not have let him leave without a battle,’ said Hannah Schroeder, Head Zookeeper.
On September 10, after deliberating about the best course of action, Vern was transferred to Kansas State University for surgery. At the time, the procedure had been declared successful, and Vern was healing.
Pickett was given the all-clear and is already at the monkey cage.
‘Though I doubt the perpetrator has the courtesy to come forward,’ Francis remarked. I also assume that someone knows who performed this ᴀᴛʀᴏᴄɪᴛʏ or has an idea who might do so. If that’s the case, we’d love to speak with you.’ Following Vern’s ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ, Facebook users shared their condolences.
‘OH MY GOD NOOOO, this can’t be, I thought he was doing well, I was so happy to see him again,’ one lady said. RIP, beautiful beloved Vern, you made so many people happy and will be greatly missed.’
Vern arrived at Wright Park Zoo in 1988, along with a female monkey named Charro, when he was one year old.
The couple has at least four children, including their two youngest boys, Jack and Pickett.
