One Year Later El Paso Woman Who Climbed Into Spider Monkey Enclosure Has No Regrets

The woman who breached the spider monkey enclosure at the El Paso Zoo last May and was filmed feeding them Flamin’ Hot Cheetos remains unrepentant.

Luz Elizabeth Rae, who goes by Lucy, told one of the local news stations in a recent interview that she “didn’t do anything wrong” and has no intention of apologizing to zoo officials for her actions.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

The Now Infamous Hot Cheetos Breach

As you likely heard or read, Rae went viral last year after she was filmed inside the Spider Monkey enclosure feeding them what was widely-reported as Hot Cheetos.

The recording, taken after Rae had climbed over the barrier, showed her standing just a few feet away from the primates and offering them food.

As she walks through the moat back to the area she crossed over from, she's seen smiling and can be heard laughing as a monkey charges at her before being stopped by the water barrier.

Monkey Business Results in Firing, Hiring, Arrest

After her identity was made public, the then 26-year-old's shenanigans led to her firing from her job at a law firm. Less than 48 hours after her dismissal, she was hired by another El Paso law firm who blasted her previous employer on social media and accused them of having a 'cancel culture attitude.'

Rae was arrested for Criminal Trespass on May 27, 2021. She was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility under a $1,500 bond, posted bond, and was released the same day.

One year later, the investigation remains open, and the case is still working its way through the system.

“I Don’t Think I Did Anything Wrong”

In the interview published by KVIA, Rae would not say why she climbed into the enclosure that day under the advice of her lawyer, who was present with her, but remains unapologetic, unrepentant, and flippant.

“Well, I don’t think I did anything wrong,” she told the news station. “I did not hurt anyone.”

KVIA reports “she has no plans of apologizing to the zoo for what happened,” and, in fact, blames them because signs specifically saying people are not allowed to get into the enclosure were not posted.

As for what her actions that day taught her?

“I learned just keep the Cheetos to myself. I can’t share.”