Ikea monkey’s owner voluntarily transferred ownership: animal services officer

OSHAWA, Ont. – A Toronto animal services officer says a woman who owned the Ikea monkey voluntarily signed a form transferring ownership.

David Behan is testifying at the trial for a lawsuit launched by Yasmin Nakhuda, who is trying to get the monkey back after he was found wandering an Ikea parking lot in December.

She is suing Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary, where Toronto animal services sent Darwin after seizing him, for recovery of personal property.

Behan says Nakhuda arrived at animal services that day trying to get Darwin back, but she signed a form surrendering her ownership.

Nakhuda has testified she thought that the form just allowed animal services to keep Darwin for testing, but Behan says he clearly explained that the form was to relinquish her property, meaning the monkey.

He also says that he never threatened Nakhuda with criminal charges if she didn’t sign the form — contrary to her testimony.