A pet monkey owned by a former Brazilian politician has died after being captured following a rampage in a residential neighbourhood that left five people injured. The tufted capuchin, known as Alcebíades, broke into a number of homes in a luxury gated community in Bahia on Monday (October 5).
During the attack, the monkey was reported to have consumed alcohol and a pack of medication. Three residents, a security guard, and a military police officer were injured in the incident.
Owner vows revenge
The animal belonged to Marcell Moraes, a former member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party. On Instagram yesterday (October 8), Moraes announced that Alcebíades had died, posting a black and white image of the monkey with a ribbon reading "GRIEF! They killed my son".
In the caption, he called the authorities "MURDERERS!" and added, "YOU WILL PAY HIGHLY FOR THIS MURDER." He wrote: "He got out of here unharmed and was taken by police after entering a neighbor's home on Alphaville 2. Now my son is dead, and I demand serious, independent expertise. I want to know what happened to him, from the contact with the neighbors, during the police action and while he was under the care of CETAS and INEMA. Poisoning is suspected, and no step can go without investigation."
Capture and aftermath
Residents of the area, who said the break-ins were a regular occurrence, called the Environmental Policing and Protection Company (COPPA) to report that the animal was displaying signs of aggressive behaviour. It was hours before the monkey was finally captured.
The monkey was reported to have broken into a home and ingested 70% rubbing alcohol before helping itself to a pack of pills. Afterwards, he made his way to a number of other homes, destroying a glass shower on the way and entering a room with a five-day-old baby.
Handlers attempted to capture the monkey using various tactics but reported that he remained highly agitated and charged at both bystanders and the team. After around three hours, the monkey was finally captured using a landing net and leather gloves. He was restrained and taken to the Wild Animal Triage Center (CETAS) for a check-up, where specialists at the time reported that he was in a weakened state.
The injured residents and security guard were treated and taken to the Itapuã Police Station to give statements and file a report. The military police officer bitten by the animal was taken to an Urgent Care Unit (UPA) in Itapuã for necessary medical treatment.
Moraes had previously set up a social media account for Alcebíades which had more than 10,000 followers. It has since been deactivated. The day before the monkey terrorised the local residents, it was reported that Moraes had posted a picture on social media of a bleeding arm, blaming the monkey.
