25/06/2009 - Rare monkeys snatched from farm
A pair of Goeldi monkeys have been stolen from a children's farm in County Durham.
The two rare monkeys were on loan from a primate sanctuary in Surrey when they were stolen from their cages.
George and Mildred are worth £2,000 each and are two of just 10 of the breed living in captivity in the UK.
More importantly, the Marmoset-type monkeys are used for breeding to increase the population of the animals.
Denise Wayman, who owns the Tweddle Children's Animal Farm near Black Hall Colliery in County Durham said: "I just can't believe they have gone.
"I am really, really upset. I just hope that whoever has taken them knows how to look after them. They are quite endangered and there aren't very many of them in the country. We are so worried about them."
It is thought that thieves broke into the farm during the night and took the animals, which rely on a heat pad to cope with the UK climate, as they slept.
PC George Gaskin, of Durham police, said he is very concerned about the welfare of the animals due to their special care requirements.
He said: "If they don't get the correct care they need, they could come to serious harm."
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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