# Monkey theft at Lescar zoo near Pau: investigation and formal charges

> In the night of October 26 to 27, 2026, Exotic Parc in Lescar, near Pau, reports the theft of fourteen primates and files a complaint. On October 30, gendarmes find eleven animals near Tarbes and arrest several people. On November 1, three people are placed under formal investigation for the theft of thirteen monkeys, marmosets and tamarins. On November 2, two suspects are placed in pretrial detention after arrests in the Hautes-Pyrénées, including that of the partner of one of them.

**In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 4 events in 2 departments (Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées), followed from 27 October 2026 to 3 November 2026. 52 articles from 24 sources (justice, society, security); last updated on 3 November 2026 at 13:30. Reported toll: 13 arrests.

- Status: ongoing
- Category: Justice, Society, Security
- Place: Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées
- First detected: 27 October 2026 at 16:57
- Updated: 3 November 2026 at 13:30
- Web page: https://acturadar.com/en/stories/191-monkey-theft-at-lescar-zoo-near-pau-investigation-and-formal-charges

## Reported figures

- 13 arrests
- 12 000 euros
- 150 000 euros

## Coverage angles

All three sides cover the same event (theft, recoveries, formal charges), but the left emphasizes the spectacular police operation and the director's appeal, the center details the judicial procedure and behind-the-scenes of the investigation (ransom, negotiator), the right highlights animal trafficking and the fate of endangered species.

**Common ground**

- Theft of primates at Exotic Parc zoo in Lescar in the night of October 26 to 27
- Eleven animals found near Tarbes and several people arrested
- Three people placed under formal investigation after the facts
- Some primates belong to species threatened with extinction

**Differences**

- The left emphasizes the spectacular police deployment (GIGN, helicopters, toll), an angle little present on the right
- The center details the ransom demand and the qualification of extortion by an organized gang, absent from the left and right articles provided
- The right places the event in the context of animal trafficking and possible resale, an angle not developed on the left
- The number of animals varies by headline (13, 14 stolen; 11 found) and the number of primates still missing is only mentioned by the center

## Timeline (4 events)

### 27 October 2026 — [Near Pau: About a dozen monkeys stolen from a zoo, complaint filed](https://acturadar.com/en/events/1996-near-pau-about-a-dozen-monkeys-stolen-from-a-zoo-complaint-filed.md)

Exotic Parc, near Pau, filed a complaint after the theft of 14 primates, some of which are elderly, tagged, and require special care.

22 sources, 33 articles · Pau — Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées

### 30 October 2026 — [Singes volés au zoo de Lescar : onze animaux retrouvés et des interpellations](https://acturadar.com/en/events/5363-singes-voles-au-zoo-de-lescar-onze-animaux-retrouves-et-des-interpellations.md)

La quasi-totalité des ouistitis et tamarins volés au zoo de Lescar près de Pau a été retrouvée par les gendarmes près de Tarbes, et plusieurs personnes ont été interpellées.

8 sources, 11 articles · Lescar — Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées

### 1 November 2026 — [Vol de singes au zoo de Lescar : trois personnes mises en examen](https://acturadar.com/en/events/6361-vol-de-singes-au-zoo-de-lescar-trois-personnes-mises-en-examen.md)

Trois personnes sont mises en examen après le vol de treize singes (ouistitis et tamarins) à l'Exotic Park de Lescar dans la nuit du 26 au 27 octobre.

5 sources, 6 articles · Lescar — Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées

### 2 November 2026 — [Vol de singes au zoo de Lescar : deux suspects placés en détention provisoire](https://acturadar.com/en/events/7618-vol-de-singes-au-zoo-de-lescar-deux-suspects-places-en-detention-provisoire.md)

Après le vol de treize ouistitis et tamarins à l'Exotic Park de Lescar dans la nuit du 26 au 27 octobre, deux suspects et la compagne de l'un d'eux ont été interpellés dans les Hautes-Pyrénées ; deux suspects sont placés en détention provisoire.

2 sources, 2 articles · Lescar — Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées

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Cite as: Acturadar, “Monkey theft at Lescar zoo near Pau: investigation and formal charges”, https://acturadar.com/en/stories/191-monkey-theft-at-lescar-zoo-near-pau-investigation-and-formal-charges
Methodology: https://acturadar.com/en/methodology