The RSPCA has launched an investigation after a decapitated monkey was found in a street in London.
The headless body of the marmoset was found in Wren Close, Edmonton.
A woman found the animal, which is thought to be a black tufted marmoset, on Friday night.
RSPCA animal welfare officer (AWO) Philip Heyes went to collect the body.
He said: “The lady found the monkey’s body lying in the road by the entrance to a block of flats and suspects it may have been run over.
“She wasn’t sure what to do so she contacted Monkey World who told her to report the discovery to us.”
The RSPCA and Monkey World are now appealing for information to establish where the marmoset came from and the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death.
Marmosets are legal to own as a pet in the UK but the RSPCA is campaigning against primates being kept in homes.
AWO Heyes added: “Where this monkey came from remains a mystery.
“The most likely explanation is that this marmoset was kept as a pet and either escaped from its home and was tragically killed on the road or the body was dumped after it died naturally.
“However, we can’t rule out any foul play and we’d be keen to hear from anyone with any information.”
Dr Alison Cronin, director of Monkey World, said: “This is not the first time this year that Monkey World has been called about a marmoset loose on the streets of London.
“We were able to rescue the first individual but sadly this one died a tragic and seemingly violent death.
“We have asked the Government, and met with George Eustace, about the out of control and unregulated trade in monkeys as pets in UK and nothing has been done. Now they are dying on the streets of London.”
