Dallas Zoo gives update on enhanced security; stolen monkeys return to exhibit

Dallas Zoo leaders told city council members that the zoo has made a lot of enhancements to its security after three enclosures were cut. And in a fourth enclosure, a vulture had a fatal wound.

DALLAS - Dallas Zoo leaders told city council members that the zoo has made a lot of enhancements to its security after three enclosures were cut. And in a fourth enclosure, a vulture had a fatal wound.

The zoo is enhancing its perimeter fencing, adding more security cameras, and updating its lighting. It has also stepped up overnight police patrols and brought in an outside security expert.

All of this started after a series of bizarre crimes in January. Two animal enclosures were cut open and a clouded leopard escaped.

"Eight days later, a vulture turns up dead in a habitat on the other side of the zoo. In the wilds of Africa," explained Kari Streiber with the Dallas Zoo. "A fatal puncture wound. DPD was immediately called in and determined suspicious."

The man accused of vandalizing those habitats – Davion Irvin – is also charged with stealing two monkeys a couple of weeks later.

Zoo officials said some security upgrades are more subtle and discreet to ensure the zoo doesn't feel like a "prison."

"You gotta balance a fun family educational facility and not look like you're literally down in Huntsville," said Seane Greene, the Dallas Zoo's associate director.

The zoo is still investigating the suspicious death of an endangered vulture. Police have not linked Irvin to that incident.

At that point, the zoo doubled night security.

Nine days later, Greene says the fourth and most egregious incident occurred with the theft of Bella and Finn.

"Same thing. 8 a.m. hour. Staff realizes they are missing," he said. "DPD immediately knows animals were taken."

Zoo staff recalled a man asking unusual questions about the animals the day before, which led to police releasing an image of Davion Irvin from zoo security video.

The zoo increased the reward to 25,000, and tips began coming in that led to the monkeys being discovered in an abandoned home in Lancaster.

Irvin was later arrested.

"When the security team picked those animals up, it was one of the happiest days," Greene said. "It could have gone a lot of different ways. They came back cold. Had lost weight."

Greene says patrols at night have now tripled. There are more security and trail cameras, some with infrared and motion detection.

The zoo also installed a perimeter fence with barbed wire, but they are being cautious for barriers to be subtle.

"Don't want it to look like max security correctional facility," Greene said.

Greene says the incidents have not deterred visitors from coming to see their favorite animals.

"Nova is back in their habitat. Amazing animal," he said. "25,000 came out to enjoy that."

Stolen Dallas Zoo monkeys return to their enclosure

The two emperor tamarin monkeys that were stolen last month are now out of quarantine.

Bella and Finn were found alive the day after they went missing at a vacant home in Lancaster. Irvin told police they got there by riding with him on a DART train after leaving the zoo.

The zoo kept Bella and Finn away from other animals for a few weeks to ensure they did not pick up and spread any diseases.

The monkeys were reportedly running around in their enclosure Monday.

Dallas City Council members said they felt leaders at the zoo were doing everything they could. They also said they want discuss prioritizing zoo security upgrades in the upcoming bond.

Dallas Crime and Public Safety