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#IkeaMonkey: what we know about Canada's most famous shopper #IkeaMonkey: what we know about Canada's most famous shopper
(25 days later)
The story of the Ikea monkey – a tiny, confused and seemingly lost pet monkey running round the entrance lobby at the Swedish furniture store in Toronto has taken the Internet by storm. The hashtag #Ikeamonkey has been trending on Twitter and the parody account @IkeaMonkey has thousands of followers. Last night, however, not much was known about the seven-month-old primate. Today, new details on the rhesus macaques we now know as Darwin, surfaced after the Toronto Animal Services (TAS) held a press conference in Toronto.
*If you're reading this on Facebook, click "Read this story on The Guardian" on the top right side of this page to see embedded tweets and links in this post*
The story of the Ikea monkey – a tiny, confused and seemingly lost pet monkey running round the entrance lobby at the Swedish furniture store in Toronto has taken the Internet by storm. The hashtag #Ikeamonkey has been trending on Twitter and the parody account @IkeaMonkey has thousands of followers. Last night, however, not much was known about the seven-month-old primate. Today, new details on the rhesus macaques we now know as Darwin, surfaced after the Toronto Animal Services (TAS) held a press conference in Toronto.
*If you're reading this on Facebook, click "Read this story on The Guardian" on the top right side of this page to see embedded tweets and links in this post*
Here's what we know so far:Here's what we know so far:
Name: Darwin. I repeat, his name is Darwin.Name: Darwin. I repeat, his name is Darwin.
#IkeaMonkey is named Darwin.Survival of the fittest fashionista.#IkeaMonkey is named Darwin.Survival of the fittest fashionista.
Origin: Thanks to Global News Toronto, we've learned that little Darwin is a rhesus macaques, a breed of monkey native to Asia commonly used for scientific research. Darwin and his owners are from Montreal, where he's lived with them for five months.Origin: Thanks to Global News Toronto, we've learned that little Darwin is a rhesus macaques, a breed of monkey native to Asia commonly used for scientific research. Darwin and his owners are from Montreal, where he's lived with them for five months.
Age: Seven months. "He is a baby and should be treated as such," said one TAS official.Age: Seven months. "He is a baby and should be treated as such," said one TAS official.
How'd he end up in Ikea? The details aren't clear. Toronto police staff sergeant Ed Dzingala believes little Darwin was inside a cage in a car parked at the store in North York and somehow managed to free himself.How'd he end up in Ikea? The details aren't clear. Toronto police staff sergeant Ed Dzingala believes little Darwin was inside a cage in a car parked at the store in North York and somehow managed to free himself.
Current state of mind: Agitated. One TAS official also noted that Darwin is being very quiet. Could be due to stress.Current state of mind: Agitated. One TAS official also noted that Darwin is being very quiet. Could be due to stress.
What's the deal with his owners?: We don't know much. After TAS collected Darwin at Ikea, his owners came forward yesterday and have since officially transferred ownership to Toronto Animal Services. They've been fined $240 and apparently didn't know it was illegal to have him. What's the deal with his owners?: We don't know much. After TAS collected Darwin at Ikea, his owners came forward yesterday and have since officially transferred ownership to Toronto Animal Services. They've been fined $240 and apparently didn't know it was illegal to have him.
What's next for Darwin?: A move is definitely in his future. The TAS says it's been exploring animal sanctuaries and other alternatives. He is not likely to stay in Toronto.What's next for Darwin?: A move is definitely in his future. The TAS says it's been exploring animal sanctuaries and other alternatives. He is not likely to stay in Toronto.
Is he eating?: Yes. Although Darwin is having a bit of of a tough time, TAS officials say that he's eating well. They're apparently feeding him fruit and waiting to obtain "monkey chow".Is he eating?: Yes. Although Darwin is having a bit of of a tough time, TAS officials say that he's eating well. They're apparently feeding him fruit and waiting to obtain "monkey chow".
I can haz #Ikeamonkey? NO. No you cannot. Just take it from the TAS:I can haz #Ikeamonkey? NO. No you cannot. Just take it from the TAS:
Officials with Toronto Animal Services says it is not appropriate to have a monkey as a pet. Not safe for the animal. #Ikeamonkey #DarwinOfficials with Toronto Animal Services says it is not appropriate to have a monkey as a pet. Not safe for the animal. #Ikeamonkey #Darwin
Now what? The story continues, and we'll keep you updated as more comes in. In the meantime, watch this excruciatingly cute/tragic video of little Darwin resplendent in his diaper and shearling coat, hopping around Ikea's cement floor desperately trying to call the elevator.Now what? The story continues, and we'll keep you updated as more comes in. In the meantime, watch this excruciatingly cute/tragic video of little Darwin resplendent in his diaper and shearling coat, hopping around Ikea's cement floor desperately trying to call the elevator.
*Thanks to live tweeting from several Toronto reporters like Katie Simpson, who have enabled us to put together the latest need-to-know information about Darwin.*Thanks to live tweeting from several Toronto reporters like Katie Simpson, who have enabled us to put together the latest need-to-know information about Darwin.
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