The Honolulu Zoo has been vandalized … again.
Workers made the disturbing discovery Monday afternoon, and officials believe it may be the work of a copycat.
It's the same type of graffiti like last Monday, but officials say it appears to have been done by a different person.
And although fewer glass panels were tagged today, the etchings this time are deeper.
Zoo officials are going ape, faced with another round of monkey business.
”And the damage is at least as expensive as last time maybe even more expensive,” said Stephen Walker, director of the Honolulu Zoo.
Zookeepers discovered the new graffiti Monday afternoon.
”We know the damage wasn't there at 10:30 and it was there at 1:30,” said Walker.
Fifteen glass panels damaged with graffiti etchings this time at the wild dog, rock cove reptile, orangutan, and chimpanzee exhibits.
“I was very saddened to see they destroyed these glass panels,” said Brian Williams who is visiting Indiana.
Last Monday -- exactly a week ago -- 21 panels were defaced, at six exhibits.
“I don't know how someone would get pleasure out of destroying something for no reason,” said Mike Symons, a Maui resident.
But zoo officials believe this time -- it's a case of monkey see, monkey do.
”This is the graffiti from last week here, it's a little faded and hard to see in this light, but someone has marked straight across it with a mark and then put new etching in the glass right on top here,” explained Walker.
Last time, damage was estimated at $1,800, although the zoo was lucky enough to receive some pro bono offers.
“The city's budget as everyone knows is very tight and we need that money to do important things. And it's so frustrating we have to possibly spend some of that on this senseless act of vandalism,” added Walker.
Police have not arrested anyone yet in connection with last Monday’s vandalism case, but they are following up on tips.
Officials are also asking for witnesses to come forward in this latest case.
If you have any information, you are asked to call Honolulu police.
