Police urge caution after monkeys are stolen from Highland home
Police are urging the public in the Highlands to keep an eye out following an unusual theft.
Two Common Marmoset monkeys were taken from an external, insecure enclosure located within a garden in the Balmakeith Drive area of Nairn some time between 4.30pm and 10.50pm on Saturday.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "The theft closely follows an unknown male attending at the property offering to carry out gutter cleaning services and thereafter expressing an interest in purchasing the monkeys which was declined."
The man is described as being white, in his late 20s, short, medium build, roundish face, no glasses, no facial hair, and well presented with no distinctive accent.
The monkeys are aged 12 months and 11 weeks respectively, with the older one being approximately eight inches in height with distinctive white fur markings on the tips of the ears and the younger monkey approximately three inches in height, darker in colour with no white markings.
The spokesman cautioned: "Although bred as domestic pets, the monkeys should be considered wild animals which require specialist care and feeding.
"The older monkey can and will be aggressive if handled and this may result in scratches and/or serious bites occurring. The SSPCA advises members of the public if you come across the monkeys not to handle them and to contact them in the first instance on 03000 999 999."
Police are appealing for anyone with information as to the whereabouts of the monkeys to contact them urgently on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
