User:InedibleHulk/Darwin (monkey)
Darwin is a rhesus macaque who attracted international media attention after pictures of him wandering the parking lot of an IKEA store in North York, Ontario on December 9, 2012, wearing a sheepskin coat, went viral.[1] Local shoppers reported the unusual sight to Toronto city staff, who took him away from his owner. He was later moved to a primate care facility northeast of Toronto.[2]
Early life[edit]
Darwin lived with a Toronto lawyer, Yasmin Nakhuda, who claimed he would not leave her side and needed 24-hour care.
Escape[edit]
On December 9, 2012, seven-month-old Darwin was locked in a cage in Nakhuda's vehicle. He escaped from both, then began wandering the parking lot. Witnesses say they saw him enter the store and attempt to open doors.
Capture[edit]
Darwin was captured in the parking lot and taken to the local humane society. Nakhuda was coerced into signing ownership over to the city and fined $240.00 for breaking a bylaw on keeping a primate as a pet. She filed a case to get him back. The authorities had no legal right to seize him from her.[3]
Media[edit]
Darwin received worldwide news coverage and became an Internet celebrity, perhaps most of all for his sheepskin coat.
References[edit]
- ^ Alphonso, Caroline (December 10, 2012). "Stylish but illegal monkey found roaming Toronto IKEA". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
- ^ Moore, Oliver (December 12, 2012). "Owner of Darwin the IKEA monkey may be able to visit him at sanctuary". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
- ^ http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/12/18/ikea-monkey-darwins-former-owner-has-a-decent-case-for-getting-him-back-animal-rights-lawyer/