Family of stolen mini monkeys recovering after harrowing zoo heist

It's been a wild ride for a trio of little monkeys that were stolen from Symbio Zoo in Sydney, Australia, now all safely back home together.

On Saturday, a family of three pygmy marmosets, father Gomez, mother Sofia and a yet to be named four-week old newborn were found missing by keepers.

Two brothers, Jesse and Jackson George, were found driving with the unnamed newborn baby monkey in the car on Sunday following a tip-off. It's not alleged the brothers took the animals from the park, according to Fairfax Media-- they are accused of buying them illicitly.

The mother, Sofia, was recovered by police and returned to the zoo late on Sunday, and father Gomez was found left on a veterinarian's front door on Monday night. Gomez arrived back at the zoo at 11 p.m. that night in "quite a stressed condition," according to the news outlet.

Zoo staff were worried about their health, due to the monkey's specialised diet. They also don't do well on their own; marmosets are a highly social species.

The zoo "are allowing them as much time as needed to settle back in, in privacy," according to a statement on Facebook on Tuesday.

"Sofia, the baby and the remaining family members are all doing well. Our exhibit will remain closed again today to give the family time to re-bond with Gomez, as we observe the dynamics within the family."

The two brothers plead guilty with dealing in the proceeds of crime, as text messages between Jackson George and the unnamed seller of the animals have also been revealed. They've been published in the Illawarra Mercury.

"Ay check out my monkey man," the unnamed seller writes. "Thats mad bro wanna sell it bruh ahah," Jackson George replies.

Further texts reveal the cost of the three monkeys was a mere A$500 (US$374), and the unnamed seller claimed to have taken them from the zoo.

Jackson was released on bail and will return to court in January for sentencing. His brother Jesse received a A$1500 (US$1123) fine and two-year good behavior bond (a conditional discharge) for knowledge that the monkeys were stolen and helping to transport them, according to Fairfax Media.

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While the pygmy marmoset has an extensive population, it is in decline due to the booming pet trade, according to Perth Zoo.

Conservationists warn these monkeys rarely survive in captivity due to stress, trafficked to places like China where they've become the latest accessory for the wealthy.