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
editDarwin lived with a Toronto lawyer, Yasmin Nakhuda, who claimed he would not leave her side and needed 24-hour care.
Escape
editOn 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
editDarwin 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
editDarwin 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/