Six squirrel monkeys died Monday night after a fire broke out in their enclosure at ZooParc Overloon, a zoo in Noord-Brabant, the Netherlands.
The fire was reported around 9:00 PM after nearby residents noticed the flames. No zoo staff were present at the time. Firefighters arrived with multiple vehicles and managed to put out the fire by 9:45 PM.
“You care for all the animals with your heart and soul. We come back in the evening if an animal is sick, and we witness births. It’s all wonderful,” a zoo employee told Dutch media Omroep Brabant.
“And of course, sometimes animals pass away, and we are used to that. But losing six animals all at once in this way is devastating. You hope never to experience something like this,” he added.
Squirrel monkeys
Squirrel monkeys are small primates native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, primarily found in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
They thrive in dense, humid rainforests and are highly social animals, living in large troops ranging from a few individuals to over 100 members.
These are known for their striking appearance, with bright yellow-orange fur on their limbs and a black-and-white mask-like pattern on their faces. They are highly intelligent and curious, often seen playing and engaging in social grooming.
While some species of squirrel monkeys are abundant, others face threats due to habitat destruction, illegal pet trade, and hunting. Deforestation in the Amazon and other rainforests has significantly impacted their populations.
ZooParc Overloon and the local fire department are investigating the cause of the fire.
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