New Zealand School’s Mysterious Underwear Thief Revealed as a Cat Burglar
WHAKATĀNE, New Zealand — For over a year, Apanui School in Whakatāne found itself grappling with a peculiar mystery: towels, shoes, underwear, and other personal belongings disappearing from its grounds, particularly during the swimming season. The baffling thefts left staff and students puzzled as single shoes, goggles, and even underwear were regularly found strewn along the footpaths leading into the school. However, the culprit was finally unmasked not as a human prankster, but as a literal “cat burglar.”
Marama Stewart, the school’s principal, recounted the discovery to Stuff.co.nz, explaining how the school’s office staff reviewed security camera footage after a pair of swimming trunks and a towel vanished. The video revealed a sleek black cat dragging a large towel across the playground, confirming suspicions that the thief was feline.
Further investigation uncovered a sizable stash of stolen items hidden behind the physical education shed. The school’s groundskeeper reached out to the cat’s owner, who acknowledged that their pet had a notorious habit of pilfering items. To preserve the owner’s privacy, Stewart said, “Can we say his owner wishes that he remains anonymous? We’re calling him Slinky Malinki,” a nod to the mischievous feline character from New Zealand children’s literature.
The incident has since become a lighthearted learning opportunity for the school community. Stewart noted that the story of Slinky Malinki might help students remember to keep their belongings secure by packing them away properly. The school even plans to incorporate the tale into creative writing exercises, turning the cat’s antics into an educational moment.
This unusual case highlights the unexpected ways animals can impact human environments. Similar stories of wildlife interacting with human spaces have been documented by various agencies, including rescues of animals in urban settings. For example, the U.S. Fire Administration often reports on animal rescues in residential areas, while the National Park Service monitors wildlife behavior near human habitats.
Meanwhile, the Apanui School community has embraced their furry felon with good humor. The story of Slinky Malinki, the cat burglar, has captured public imagination, reminding everyone that sometimes the simplest explanations are the most surprising. As the school moves forward, they hope the tale will encourage vigilance and a bit of fun in safeguarding personal belongings.
For those interested in animal behavior or curious about similar incidents, resources such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals provide extensive information on pet habits and community interactions.
As for Slinky Malinki, the school’s beloved thief, his escapades have now been immortalized in local lore, proving that even a small cat can leave a big pawprint on a community.
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