World's Smallest Monkeys Stolen From Sydney Wildlife Park

One of three extremely rare pygmy marmosets has been located after they were heartlessly stolen from a Sydney wildlife park outside Sydney on Saturday.

A telephone call led police to stop a vehicle in Appin on Sunday afternoon. Police searched the car, locating a baby monkey alive.

"The pair was arrested and taken to Campbelltown Police Station where they are assisting police with inquiries," NSW Police said in a statement. "The baby monkey is on its way back to the wildlife park for further examination and care."

The three Pygmy Marmoset monkeys including an adult male, a female juvenile and a four-week-old baby were stolen on Saturday morning. It's believed the thief broke into the animals' enclosure overnight and made off with the critically-endangered monkeys.

Baby monkey located, two remain missing after taken from wildlife park in Helensburgh https://t.co/YFTlliTHQZ

— NSW Police (@nswpolice) November 27, 2016

PLEASE SHARE: Three Pygmy Marmoset monkeys have been stolen from Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh. https://t.co/RRYGrIwGOB #9News pic.twitter.com/DArzgnSlyM

— Nine News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) November 26, 2016

There was significant concern for the infant who is at a particularly fragile age and can't be fed unless it's reunited with its mum. Police are appealing for information as they continue the search for the two older monkeys.

Zookeeper John Radnidge told NewsCorp Australia the tiny animals will suffer in the hands of the thieves.

"It's just one of the most cruel and despicable acts to do this because they have no ability to care for these creatures," Mr Radnidge is quoted as saying. "Time is of the essence here."

The pygmy marmoset native to the Amazon Basin. At just 100 grams, is the smallest known species of monkey. pic.twitter.com/3hgAFEUqKQ

— Thailand Photography (@thaiimpression) November 15, 2016

The pygmy marmoset, a native of rainforests in the Amazon Basin in South America, is known for being the smallest monkey in the world. The animals are about the size of a finger and weigh up to just 100 grams.

It's not the first time Symbio Wildlife Park has been targeted by wildlife bandits, according to Fairfax Media.

In 2010, four pygmy marmoset monkeys and four cotton top tamarins were abducted. Thankfully, all but one of the animals was recovered a few days later. Two Sydney teens were later arrested and charged over the theft.

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