Suspect arrested in beating death of monkey

Boise - Boise police have arrested a 22-year old man in connection with the beating death of a monkey at Zoo Boise in Boise, Idaho. Michael J. Watkins is facing felony burglary and grand theft charges.

Watkins is currently in the Washington County jail, KTVB reports. The monkey was found dead from blunt force trauma to its head and neck Saturday morning following a break-in at Zoo Boise, The Daily Mail reports. The zoo's veteranarian, Holly Peters, was called in following the vicious attack, and arrived quickly, but the monkey died as it was being examined. Police are seeking another suspect involved in the case, The Associated Press reports. His identity and relationship with Michael J. Watkins have not been released. On Monday, Zoo Boise officials did all they could to make things as normal as possible for staff members and visitors, but everyone was still shocked and crushed over the murder of the patas monkey, the Idaho Statesman reports. Police are still trying to figure out the question on everyone's minds; "Why would anyone break into a zoo and beat a monkey to death?" Flowers now stand outside the exhibit the slain monkey shared with another patas monkey, KTVB reports. Zoo Boise executive director Steve Burns thanked the community for their support and said he is glad police have a suspect in custody. Burns said monkeys are social animal, so zoo officials are concerned for the welfare of the monkey who now remains in the exhibit alone, NBC News reports. Zoo Boise will either find another monkey to keep the remaining patas monkey company or they will move it to another zoo. Both patas monkeys came to Boise from Tampa Bay three years ago.