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Illegal pet lemur bites toddler in downtown Nederland

Posted at 6:53 AM, Jul 22, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-22 08:53:10-04

NEDERLAND, Colo. -- Police say the owner of an illegal pet lemur that bit a 2-year-old girl in downtown Nederland is facing charges, and the primate is likely destined for a sanctuary in Florida.

The Daily Camera reports the girl was not seriously injured when she was bitten at a carousel Wednesday.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife area manager Larry Rogstad says the agency was aware of the lemur, and its owner had been told it was illegal. The exotic pet has been turned over to the wildlife agency.

The owner, whose name was not released, has been cited for having an aggressive animal and could be charged with possessing a primate, which is illegal in Colorado.

Lemurs are native to Madagascar.