Kolkata, Aug 9 - Eight rare Brazilian monkeys were found mysteriously stolen from Kolkata's famous Alipore Zoological Garden Sunday, a senior official here said.

'Altogether eight Brazilian monkeys of rare species were found stolen this (Sunday) morning from their enclosure,' Alipore zoo director Subir Chowdhury said.

He said a total of 16 rare Brazilian monkeys, each two feet in height, had been brought to Alipore zoo in 2001.

'We've registered a complaint with the Kolkata police and they are now investigating the matter. We've given to the police the names of two security personnel on duty near the enclosures as also the private agency that employed them,' he said.

'The incident is quite surprising and alarming also. How come eight monkeys were stolen from a locked cage without the knowledge of the security guards? The thieves broke open the cage and took away the monkeys from the zoo and they could not do anything?' Chowdhury asked.