Tears and outrage over the arrest of Chico the monkey
Rare animal is snatched by police from arms of woman, 71, who has cared for him for 37 years
When two police officers tore little Chico from the arms of Elizete Carmona, they said it was for his own good.
After all, 71-year-old women aren't meant to live with endangered tufted capuchin monkeys.
The father wanted to kill the monkey. His wife intervened and because she liked me, she ended up giving him to me. I started taking care of him. He never once bit me
But the case has upset many in Brazil, with thousands signing an online petition calling on Sao Paulo state environmental officials to return Chico to the only home he's known for 37 years.
It is illegal to keep wild animals as pets in Brazil, especially those classified as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of threatened species - including the tufted capuchin monkey.
But the Carmona family contends Chico is totally domesticated and might not survive the stress of separation.
When the officers came to their house in the city of San Carlos on Saturday, Chico grabbed onto Carmona and hugged her tight.
Carmona said she was devastated when he was pulled away.