MADERA COUNTY – A baby spider monkey seized during a traffic stop along a Central California highway earlier this week is now in the care of the Oakland Zoo.
California Highway Patrol said the animal was discovered after Madera-area officers stopped a Rolls Royce on northbound Highway 99.
Officers suspect the driver was speeding and under the influence when they stopped him. Marijuana for sale was allegedly found in the car, along with an exotic animal.
CHP Madera
The animal, a spider monkey, was wearing a onesie when it was found. Authorities believed the monkey was only a month old.
Animal control officers took the monkey, which is illegal to keep as a pet in California. The driver – whose name has not been released by CHP – was arrested for possession of an exotic animal, among other charges.
On Thursday, CHP revealed that the Oakland Zoo had now taken in the monkey.
It is not clear exactly how the monkey came into the suspect’s possession.
