Brevard Zoo Receives Two Spider Monkeys Confiscated by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services
The Brevard Zoo recently received two black-handed spider monkey infants that were rescued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services from a suspected wildlife trafficker.
“Given our success with introducing other young wildlife trafficking victims to our troop (protective family group), we were asked to try again with these two new monkeys, a male estimated to be about three months old named Fernando, and a female estimated to be about five months old named Honey,” Brevard Zoo officials said.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, spider monkey trafficking is a growing problem with multiple seizures occurring at the Southern border, where the endangered animals are smuggled. Tragically, the spider monkeys are poached from their mothers in the wild, causing physical and ecological harm.
Fortunately, at the Brevard Zoo, Fernando and Honey are thriving and expected to become full members of the Zoo's troop which includes rescued and rehabilitated spider monkeys who were trafficked shortly after birth.
Brevard Zoo reminds the community to research the needs of any future pet. For more information, visit NotAPet.net or call the USFWS tip line at (844) 397-8477 if you suspect someone is trafficking wildlife.
Space Coast to Become Home to a New Pro Soccer Team
The United Soccer League (USL), in partnership with Space Coast Pro Soccer, recently announced plans to bring a professional men’s soccer team to Brevard County. A women's team is expected in the near future. Additionally, a state-of-the-art, soccer-specific stadium is planned, serving both as the team’s home and a venue for events and youth programs.
The team leading the effort to establish the new pro soccer team includes John Bonner, a venture capitalist and co-founder of the Orlando City Soccer Club, Tommy Bonner, a real estate and technology investor, and Adrian Heath, a former Premier League soccer player and championship-winning coach who oversaw the transition from USL to Major League Soccer (MLS) for the Orlando City Soccer Club and Minnesota United Football Club.
The community will be invited to help shape the team’s name, colors, and logo to reflect the Space Coast’s identity. The organization is also seeking investors, corporate partners, and community collaborators. Organizers hope the Space Coast pro soccer team will follow Orlando City's successful path from the USL to MLS.
For more information, click here.
Illegal Drugs Seized in Palm Bay
Last week, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Bay Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearm task force agents seized 92,000 pounds of an illegal kratom-derived substance known as 7-OH. The joint operation is believed to be the largest seizure of its kind in the nation. Dozens of firearms, explosive devices, and precursor chemicals were also confiscated.
The joint operation resulted in the arrest of 26-year-old suspect, Maxwell Horvath, following a search warrant at a Palm Bay property. The suspect is accused of operating a large-scale illegal extraction and distribution operation under the business name “Overseas Organics.”
Sheriff Ivey said the scope of the operation resembled a “Breaking Bad on steroids” laboratory, complete with industrial equipment, compression machines, and segregated processing rooms.
“Florida recently passed an emergency law making the 7-OH substance illegal, and Horvath knew it. He just thought he found a way around the law. Well, trick or treat, he didn’t,” said Sheriff Ivey.
“We’re not just talking about drugs,” Palm Bay Police Chief Mariano Augello said. “We’re talking about explosive devices, things that the military are utilizing and other countries are utilizing all over the world to take out populations of people. This is terrorist activities across the board.” |
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