Woman seen in El Paso Zoo spider monkey exhibit charged
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The woman seen in viral video entering a spider monkey exhibit at the El Paso zoo was arrested, El Paso police said Thursday.
Police charged Elizabeth Luz Rae, 26, with criminal trespassing.
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The El Paso Zoo is having to make some changes to an animal exhibit after Rae disregarded the rules.
The incident happened at the zoo's spider monkey exhibit.
Rae was seen in a viral video walking into the enclosure and then feeding the monkeys.
According to Rae's arrest affidavit, to access the enclosure she had to cross a two and a half feet tall fence and six foot wide, two feet deep moat.
Rae reportedly feed the animals some kind of spicy chips, according to Joe Montisano, El Paso Zoo director.
The video was posted to social media, which helped zoo officials identify the woman.
The El Paso Zoo pressed charges against Rae with the El Paso Police Department, Montisano said.
A local law firm, Lovett Law, stated the woman in the video was an employee that worked for them.
Rae was let go from her position at the firm because of her behavior, according to Nora Artalejo Lovett.
The following statement was posted Monday afternoon.
Montisano said modifications are being made to the fence and the exhibit to protect the animals and guests due to this incident.
Rae was booked into the downtown El Paso County Jail on Thursday with a $1,500 bond.
We will update this news article when new information is made available.
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