A loose marmoset in Montevideo: It is not dangerous and the authorities want to catch it this way

2023-06-20 14:36:10

The only primate that has decided to live in the city is the human being. Afterwards, no other belongs to urban environments and, therefore, the presence of a loose marmoset in Montevideo has sparked the concern of authorities and residents.

In the last hours, a protocol was activated to catch the monkey, whose origin is unknown. Obviously, it would have reached its owner by smuggling, because its buying, selling and possession are illegal. The Ministry of the Interior had a cage brought from the inside that arrives this Tuesday and uses a lure with food for the animal to enter and be captured.

Although it is not a violent animal, it can have reactions when it feels threatened. “Generally (the monkeys) jump at your head, but that is if it is an animal that is scared,” explains the person in charge of the Fauna area of ​​the Ministry of the Environment, Carmen Leizagoyen.

“In a trap cage, the food is put inside and the animal, having no food, tries to grab it and when it steps on it, the door falls,” said the Environment official consulted by The Observer.

The monkey was seen by the Mercado Modelo

In recent days, residents around the Mercado Modelo reported to the Ministry of the Environment that the monkey had been seen in the area, and was seen jumping between the roofs.

The Animal Welfare Institute (INBA) reported that, although it received a complaint in this regard, it cannot act because exotic and wild animals are the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment.

If you are seen, you must report to the ministry by phone: [phone].