Conn. prosecutor drops case against ape-owner

STAMFORD, Conn. — A Connecticut prosecutor has dropped a criminal case against a former Fairfield man charged with illegally owning an endangered ape.

Prosecutor Michelle Bredefeld says the state dropped its case against 49-year-old Pierce Onthank after he made a $300 donation to an environmental charity. Prosecutors retain the right to reopen the case at any time during the next 13 months.

Court records say Onthank has been trying to get a permit for the animal, named Koby. The state is keeping the siamang (SEE’-uh-mang), a type of gibbon, until he does so.

Onthank could not be reached for comment Thursday. A phone listing for him is disconnected. Public records show he has moved to New Hampshire.

Information from: The Advocate, www.stamfordadvocate.com

(This version CORRECTS the type of ape to siamang.)