Dead vulture, stolen monkeys: What’s going on at the Dallas Zoo?

An unprecedented string of events at the Dallas Zoo, including missing animals, torn enclosures and an unusual death, has garnered national attention over the past few weeks.

Due to the ongoing investigation, officials have been limited in what they can release publicly, and that, in addition to speculation ensuing on social media, has evoked more questions than answers.

Here’s what we know thus far (and what we don’t):

What happened with the clouded leopard?

A 4-year-old clouded leopard named Nova had a day of social media fame on Jan. 13, when the zoo announced she had escaped from her enclosure.

After an hours-long search that involved infrared drones, a “code blue” and Dallas police’s SWAT team, she was found on-site.

The zoo’s veterinary team gave her a physical exam, determined she was unharmed, and reunited her with her sister, Luna, in their repaired enclosure the following day.

The zoo said Nova got out through a cut in the mesh surrounding her habitat, and police opened a criminal investigation, stating it was “intentional.”

Didn’t something happen with a langur monkey, too?

The day after Nova escaped, officials revealed a similar cut was found on the langur monkeys’ enclosure.

Luckily, all of the langurs were in their habitat and accounted for.

What about the vulture?

About a week after the habitat vandalism, a 35-year-old endangered vulture was found dead, and zoo staff quickly deemed the cause “unusual.”

The bird, named Pin, was one of four lappet-faced vultures at the zoo. He had been at the Dallas Zoo for 33 years.

At first, officials only said that Pin’s death did not appear to be from natural causes, but after the zoo’s veterinary team conducted a necropsy — or an animal autopsy — they revealed the bird was found with a “wound.”

Officials have declined to expand on their findings, citing the ongoing investigation.

Now two monkeys were taken?

Less than two weeks after Pin was found dead, police and zoo officials said they believe two emperor tamarin monkeys were taken from their enclosure.

Zoo spokeswoman Kari Streiber said when staff discovered they were missing, it was immediately “clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised.” According to police, the habitat had been cut.

Streiber said since the monkeys, which are expected to “stay close to home,” were still unaccounted for after an hours-long search, police “have reason to believe the tamarins were taken.”

Are all of these incidents related?

Dallas police said they have not yet determined if the habitat vandalisms and vulture death are related.

Who is investigating these incidents?

Dallas police is taking the lead, but following the vulture death, the department also requested assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Have there been any improvements in security?

Before the string of incidents began, the zoo already had more than 100 on-site cameras to monitor the public, staff and animals. The zoo has since increased camera coverage, including solar tower units from Dallas police.

Overnight security and staff presence has doubled, and in some cases, the zoo has limited animals’ ability to roam in the outdoor areas of their enclosures overnight.

“We’re going to continue to expand and implement whatever it takes for the safety and security [of] the animals, staff and the people who live near the zoo,” Dallas Zoo President and CEO Gregg Hudson said.

What did I hear about a $10,000 reward?

At a news conference Jan. 23, the zoo said it is offering a $10,000 reward to anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest and indictment.

If you have a tip, about any of the cases, call the Dallas Police Department’s animal cruelty unit at 214-670-7694.

What do zoo officials have to say about all of this?

Hudson, the zoo president and CEO, previously called the incidents “totally unprecedented and disturbing,” adding he has never seen “anything like this” in his decades-long career working at zoos.

Well, when will we know more?

We don’t have a firm answer on that.

The information on these cases is released at the discretion of zoo and law enforcement officials, who say they can’t release too many details given the pending investigation.

As of Monday, the zoo does not have another news conference scheduled.