Maki, a 21-year-old endangered lemur stolen from the San Francisco Zoo, was found by a 5-year-old Asian American child in the parking lot of Hope Lutheran Day School in Daly City, California.
The San Francisco Police Department was called in after San Francisco Zoo employees found the lemur missing on last Wednesday morning, according to the SFPD’s reports.
⚠️ Missing Lemur ⚠️#SanFrancisco we need your help in locating “Maki” the stolen Lemur! Maki is an endangered animal and requires specialized care. If spotted please dial 911 and be prepared to provide as much detail as possible ➡️ https://t.co/VJOkACtNwC pic.twitter.com/JEei6NjNgU
— San Francisco Police (@SFPD) October 14, 2020
“Officers arrived on scene and discovered forced entry to the animal enclosure where the lemur was housed,” authorities said.
The zoo later posted on social media asking for the public’s help and put up a $2,100 reward for anyone who could help out with the search.
Thank you for your supportive messages during this difficult time. At this time, we do not have any updates about Maki and we are very concerned. We’re offering a $2,100 reward, $100 for every year Maki has lived, for any information leading to his recovery. pic.twitter.com/L96OZiTCKj
— San Francisco Zoo (@sfzoo) October 15, 2020
The lemur was found safe a day later by James Trinh, a kindergartner at Hope Lutheran Day School. He was the first person to spot Maki in the school’s parking lot while he was being picked up by his mother, ABC7 News reported.
This is IT folks!
The moment young James spotted Maki, the missing San Francisco Zoo lemur, in the parking lot of his Daly City school.
Watching James and his Mom freak out w/excitement and call over the other families is the BEST!
I am LIVING for this story. Thank you Maki!! pic.twitter.com/1yiVaKyxxv
— Kate Larsen (@KateABC7) October 16, 2020
After spotting the animal, Trinh immediately called his friends, and their parents also followed. Everyone watched Maki, who wandered around the yard and eventually took shelter in a playhouse.
The parents called animal control and the Daly City police to report the sighting.
We found Maki, the stolen lemur from @sfzoo!! Around 5pm, we got a report he was in the playground area of the Hope Lutheran Church. We contained him until staff from the zoo took him back home. Here is Officer Haas with Maki.
We are grateful Maki is home safely! pic.twitter.com/U5rB2RnIxC
— Daly City Police (@DalyCityPD) October 16, 2020
In addition to Maki’s safe return in his enclosure, police were also able to take the man connected to the burglary into custody.
What a relief to have Maki safe at home! We wanted to share this vid of Maki just after his rescue last night. We’re so grateful for the swift work by @SFPD to arrest his abductor, which they announced today. pic.twitter.com/ixpi4gQaiH
— San Francisco Zoo (@sfzoo) October 17, 2020
Cory McGilloway, a 30-year-old Los Angeles resident, was arrested in San Rafael around 10 p.m. last Thursday on “shoplifting and theft of a truck” charges, NBC News reported.
Here he is – the man who allegedly broke into the San Francisco Zoo and stole Maki, the ring-tailed lemur this week. pic.twitter.com/epRGb5BWgF
— Kate Larsen (@KateABC7) October 16, 2020
However, authorities only found his connection to the stolen lemur after they looked into his phone and discovered several pictures of Maki.
“We don’t believe in a lot of coincidences in police work, so they put two and two together,” San Rafael police Lt. Dan Fink said.
McGilloway, who is currently held in Marin County, is set to be transferred to San Francisco to be booked for burglary, grand theft of an animal, looting and vandalism charges. It is still unclear why he broke into the San Francisco Zoo and took Maki from its enclosure.
SF Zoo Director Tanya Peterson stated they are giving the $2,100 reward to the Hope Lutheran school and offering Trinh’s family a lifetime zoo membership.
Featured Image via Screenshot ABC7 News (left), @sfzoo (right)
