In a surprising case of theft, an Osaka zookeeper has been arrested for stealing fruits and vegetables meant for the chimpanzees under his care. This bizarre incident took place at Tennoji Zoo, leaving both authorities and the public questioning the motives behind such an unusual crime.
For about a month prior to the arrest, zoo officials noticed that the food supplies for the chimpanzees were depleting faster than usual. After conducting an internal investigation, they discovered that the 47-year-old zookeeper, who worked in the Animal Care and Exhibition Department, was responsible for the missing produce.
On October 2, Osaka Prefectural Police confirmed the zookeeper’s arrest. However, the reason behind the theft remains unclear. A zoo spokesperson stated, “Since the investigation is ongoing, we cannot reveal the motive.” This lack of clarity has led to speculation among the public about why someone entrusted with the care of animals would steal their food.
Public Reaction to the Chimpanzee Food Theft
News of the arrest has sparked a range of reactions online, with many questioning the possible reasons behind the crime. Some commenters theorized that the zookeeper may have been reselling the food for profit, while others wondered if financial struggles in Japan’s rising cost of living played a role.
Comments from online forums included:
- “Maybe he was reselling the food?”
- “This is terrible. Is the economy that bad?”
- “If he likes the chimp food so much, maybe he should live in the cage with them.”
- “The zoo might not be paying their employees enough.”
- “I bet chimpanzee food is pretty high-quality if the animals need to stay healthy.”
Despite these guesses, there are still too few details to determine the exact motive. While rising prices across Japan could be a factor, it seems unlikely that the zoo would involve the police over such a small-scale theft. The situation has raised broader concerns about working conditions at the zoo, particularly in terms of employee compensation.
Until more information is released, the mystery of why this zookeeper resorted to stealing chimpanzee food remains unsolved. However, the incident has certainly brought attention to the zoo and sparked debates about the well-being of both its animals and staff.
Source: Sankei
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