Monkey in court

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad  – A four-month old capuchin monkey was taken to court  in South Trinidad on Monday.

The monkey was an exhibit in a case in which Akiem John of Point Fortin was charged with having the animal without a permit.

John pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Margaret Alert. He told the magistrate  that he had planned to sell the monkey.

The court was  told that the monkey, a protected animal under the Conservation of Wildlife Act, was rescued when game wardens and police intercepted a car in Santa Flora in South Trinidad..

John and the animal were taken to a police station and John was charged with having the protected animal without a permit.

John was reprimanded and discharged.

The magistrate said she took into consideration that he was a first-time offender.

She ordered that the monkey be taken to the Conservator of Forests for rehabilitation.