DALY CITY, Calif. — Maki, the missing lemur, is home after his adventure away from the San Francisco Zoo, and a 5-year-old child is being credited with helping to find the missing mini primate.
The ring-tailed lemur was reported missing Wednesday.
This morning, our 21-year-old male ring-tailed lemur, Maki, was discovered missing from the Lipman Family Lemur Forest. @SFPD is assisting with the recovery of this highly endangered animal. If the public has information, please call SFPD’s 24 Hour Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444. pic.twitter.com/vqb9pRg0VX
— San Francisco Zoo (@sfzoo) October 14, 2020
But it was found in Daly City, about 5 miles from San Francisco on Thursday afternoon, USA Today reported.
James Trinh, 5, was at his day care and noticed the lemur at the facility’s playground, his parents told KGO.
My son saw Maki walking around the day care as he and my wife were leaving around 5pm.
— Sam Trinh (@TrinnerChknDnnr) October 16, 2020
AND THE STORY GETS BETTER... YES I’M TWEET SCREAMING WITH CAPITAL LETTERS!
— Kate Larsen (@KateABC7) October 16, 2020
THIS LITTLE BOY - 5 YEAR OLD JAMES TRINH OF SAN FRANCISCO - FOUND MAKI THE LEMUR OUTSIDE HIS DAYCARE TONIGHT!!! 🥳🥳🥳
Doesn’t get cuter than this folks! pic.twitter.com/u77HrG4KyC
“He (the lemur) was hopping around the play structures. But ultimately, while he was waiting to be picked up, was hiding in the plastic playhouses,” Sarah Riggs, a teacher at Hope Lutheran Day School, told KGO.
Lemur locator James said it was exciting, and he knew what to do.
“Call the zookeeper,” James told KGO.
The Daly City police got Maki back to the zoo officials safely and in the care of veterinarians.
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.
— Daly City Police (@DalyCityPD) October 16, 2020
We are grateful Maki is home safely! pic.twitter.com/U5rB2RnIxC
Zoo officials believe Maki was stolen when they found forced entry and damage to the enclosure that holds the animal.
The burglary case is still open, and no arrests have been made, NBC News reported.
As for James, the zoo would like to give him a lifetime membership to the San Francisco Zoo, KGO reported.
The zoo had offered a reward of $2,100, or $100 for every year of Maki’s life, for information leading to the animal’s return, NBC News reported.
Cox Media Group