Japanese thief steals, eats and sells treats to chimpanzees, leaving zoo without food

A Japanese zookeeper accused of stealing food from the animals in his care has shocked many people online.

Tennoji Zoo in western Japan’s Osaka prefecture reported a series of thefts to police after discovering unusual losses of fruit and vegetables at its pet food bank.

Police investigators eventually narrowed their search for the culprit to a 47-year-old zookeeper who worked in the facility’s Animal Care and Breeding Showcase department.

The unidentified man was caught stealing food from monkeys and chimpanzees on October 1, Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun reported on October 2.

Police said they are still investigating the man’s motive.