Exclusive: IKEA Monkey Spotted Shopping in October

The now famous IKEA monkey (#IkeaMonkey) seems to have been no stranger to shopping. Darwin, a seven-month-old rhesus macaque, was recently spotted wandering around a Toronto IKEA parking lot, looking for his owners. Not only was the darling monkey a tad disoriented, but he was found wearing, according to the Toronto Star and photos taken by shopper Bronwyn Page, "a fitted faux shearling coat and diapers."

Unfortunately, rhesus macaques are banned in Toronto, and the monkey is now in the custody of Animal Services, who hope to find Darwin a new home soon. The owners had to pay a fine and told Animal Services they purchased the monkey in Montreal.

Andrea Guernsey

Looking cute in khaki shorts.

Petside has learned, however, that this was not the first time Darwin had gone shopping with his owners. Andrea Guernsey spotted the monkey and the owner at Value Village, a trendy second-hand store, back in October when she was shopping for a Halloween costume.

"I was trying on some accessories for my Halloween costume and my friend called me saying I needed to come to the kid section ASAP," Guernsey told Petside in an email. "And there was little Darwin in a hoodie and khaki shorts! His owner was looking through the racks of baby clothes for new outfits for him. I asked his name and she said it was Darwin. I hung out for a little bit and took a couple photos--in awe of his cuteness."

Since the Internet--and us!--can't get enough of Darwin, here are the images Guernsey sent us of the IKEA monkey and his owner during less chaotic times.

Andrea Guernsey

Hanging out in the kids' section of Value Village.