A California man accused of swiping a ring-tailed lemur from the San Francisco Zoo and Gardens could spend up to one year behind bars should he be found guilty of the crime.
Cory McGilloway made his initial appearance in federal court Monday on a charge of violating the Endangered Species Act. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail and up to $50,000 in fines.
Prosecutors have alleged that McGilloway, a 31-year-old from Los Angeles, sneaked into the zoo’s Lipman Family Lemur Forest on Oct. 13, 2020. He allegedly left with one of the zoo’s four lemurs, named Maki, who was reported missing the next morning.
A quick investigation uncovered evidence of forced entry into the enclosure, sparking a frantic search for the missing critter, which zoo officials described as “highly endangered” and requiring “special care.” Authorities also offered a a $2,100 reward for information leading to Maki’s safe return.
Just two days later, a woman recorded a video of a man, who authorities now believe to be McGilloway, walking a lemur on a leash on Treasure Island, about two miles off San Francisco’s mainland shore. That same afternoon, a 5-year-old boy spotted Maki unattended at a playground in Daly City.
With help from San Francisco Animal Care and Control, Maki was recaptured and returned to the zoo. Officials have since praised the boy for saving Maki, who was hungry, dehydrated and agitated, at the time of his rescue.
Authorities spotted McGilloway just hours later driving a stolen pickup truck, prosecutors said. They were responding to a report of shoplifting in San Rafael, about 18 miles northwest of San Francisco, when they arrested the suspected lemur thief.
With News Wire Services
