A fundraiser has been launched to raise money towards a new home for a pair of endangered spider monkeys after their enclosure was destroyed in an arson attack late on Thursday (23rd May) night.
West Midlands Fire Service crews from Bournbrook and Aston were called to the fire at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park in Pershore Road, next to Cannon Hill Park.
The two Colombian Black Spider Monkeys, Rosie and Gucci, were saved, thanks to their assertive fire-fighting efforts.
West Midlands Fire Service today confirmed that the fire was suspected to have been caused by arson.
The park remained closed to the public today while staff assessed the damage. The internal accommodation and most of the external enclosure have been destroyed by the fire.
Colombian Black Spider Monkeys are Critically Endangered in the wild, mainly due to a loss of habitat through deforestation in Central America. Several hundred survive in zoos and conservation parks around the world.
Rosie and Gucci are currently being housed at Dudley Zoo until a new enclosure can be constructed for them.
Staff have set up a Go Fund Me page for those wishing to help them rebuild Rosie and Gucci’s home.
The park will reopen today, Saturday 25th May. Updates can be found on the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park Facebook page.
Anyone with information on the arson is asked to contact West Midlands Police on Live Chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk (8am – midnight) or to call 101 any time. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
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