Prank calls are a classic way to stir up some mischief, but this one takes the cake.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call that was quickly disconnected. Dispatchers traced the call to a local zoo, but no one there made the call. Turns out, the culprit was none other than Route, a baby capuchin monkey with opposable thumbs—and possibly a spot on her permanent record.
“Capuchin monkeys are incredibly smart,” said Lisa Jackson, owner of Zoo To You in Paso Robles. “She sees me texting and playing with the phone all the time, so I think that’s exactly what she did.”
Baby Route had picked up a cellphone from a golf cart and started pressing buttons. Unfortunately, she hit the emergency dial combo—oops.
“Our Deputies have seen their share of ‘monkey business,’ but nothing quite like this,” the Sheriff’s Office wrote, along with cute photos of the mischievous monkey.
Route’s antics might be adorable, but they also highlight the challenges of owning a capuchin—or any monkey. Capuchins, when raised by humans, can lack the stimulation they need, leading to destructive behavior. Plus, replicating their natural habitat and diet is nearly impossible. Would you have the time to make a mini jungle and serve a variety of fruits, vegetables, and baby food twice a day?
Also, it’s illegal to own a capuchin in 35 states.
Despite movies and TV making it seem like owning a monkey is a dream come true, it’s best to reconsider. As Zoo To You put it on Facebook, “Monkeys are NOT animals that should be kept as pets! They’re so inquisitive, you never know what might happen!”
Capuchins may be entertaining with their quirks. For example, instead of high-fiving, they poke each other’s eyeballs. They also wash their hands and feet with pee, though scientists are still unsure why. They may even be nature’s radical feminists—female capuchins have been known to throw rocks at potential mates.
One thing’s for sure: Capuchins are born for mischief, and we can only wonder what chaos Route will cause next. Another prank call? Or maybe a delivery of 70 pizzas? Guess we’ll have to wait and see!