Texas Woman Climbs Into Zoo Exhibit to Feed Spider Monkeys Hot Cheetos

In a bizarre incident that has taken the internet by storm, a woman from El Paso, named Sarah Blake, was filmed scaling a fence and entering the spider monkey enclosure at the El Paso Zoo to feed them Hot Cheetos. Yes, you read that correctly. Blake attempted to offer these spicy snacks to the monkeys, named Bella and Max, while zoo officials deemed her actions “foolish and fortunate” for escaping without injury.

Zoo Director’s Concerns

Zoo director Joe Montisano recounted the incident, stating, “This young lady decided to hop a fence, navigate through some bushes, drop into a four-foot deep moat, and approach the spider monkeys.” He emphasized the danger of her actions, noting, “It was reckless. She knew it was wrong. She’s extremely lucky that it didn’t end worse for her or the animals involved.” Montisano cautioned about the strength of primates, saying, “These are strong creatures with sharp teeth and claws. We don’t interact with them without barriers for a reason.”

Health Risks for the Monkeys

Not only could Blake have sustained serious injuries, but feeding the monkeys human food could have jeopardized their health. Zookeeper Emily Johnson explained to local news that Bella and Max are fed a specialized diet, and introducing human snacks could lead to severe digestive issues. Additionally, there’s a risk of transmitting illnesses, including COVID-19, as Johnson pointed out that “anything we carry they can also contract. We’ve implemented measures to protect them, so it’s concerning when someone disregards that.”

Johnson further added that building trust with these animals takes years, and an incident like this could undo that work in mere minutes, remarking, “It’s going to take significant time to restore their comfort level.” Following the event, Blake was terminated from her position at a local law firm and the zoo is considering pressing charges, as well as reinforcing security measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Aftermath for Bella and Max

As for Bella and Max, Montisano reassured that they were unharmed, albeit a bit startled by the intrusion. He remarked, “It’s still unclear if they actually consumed any of the snacks. From the footage, they seemed more disturbed by her presence than interested in the food.”

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Conclusion

In summary, Sarah Blake’s reckless decision to enter a zoo exhibit to feed spider monkeys Hot Cheetos not only endangered her but also posed serious health risks to the animals. Zoo officials are taking steps to prevent future incidents and ensure the well-being of the animals.