Animal Sanctuary Workers Learn 'Cheetahs Never Prosper'

CUTLER BAY, FL — While it's been more than two decades since "The Lion King" first warned us that "cheetahs never prosper," two men who operate a Miami area wildlife sanctuary may just now be learning that time-tested lesson, according to Miami-Dade police. The men are accused of lying about the theft of seven lemurs, three red-handed tamarins, five marmosets, one cotton-top tamarin and one white faced capuchin monkey. The animals, valued at $53,400, were found safe in North Carolina but the two men are now facing time in human cages.

Josue Santiago and Armando Mendez Jr., each were charged with filing a false report of crime in connection with the bogus animal thefts that they claimed took place on Sunday at the We Care Wildlife Sanctuary.

"As investigators continued to follow all leads, they determined that the sanctuary had several exotic animals previously removed by authorities," according to Detective Robin Pinkard of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "To avoid further sanction for the remaining animals, Santiago gathered seven lemurs, three red-handed tamarins, five marmosets, one cotton top, and one white faced capuchin, and drove the animals to North Carolina."

The men allegedly made up the theft.

"They were afraid of being fined for having those animals," Pinkard told Patch. "They were partners."

She said that Mendez surrendered on Wednesday and confessed his involvement in the scheme. Santiago was arrested earlier this week.

A capuchin monkey like these was among the exotic animals that were reported stolen from a Miami area wildlife sanctuary. Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images.