An Oshawa judge has ruled that Darwin the monkey will spend Christmas at the primate sanctuary where he's been staying
since he was found wandering an Ikea parking lot in a shearling coat.

Darwin's owner, Yasmin Nakhuda, has gone to court seeking to get him back and had asked for his return on an interim basis while the case is decided.

But the judge presiding over the matter says the monkey is staying put until court hears full arguments on both sides.

However, Nakhuda will be allowed to visit the tiny primate in the meantime.

The Japanese macaque was dubbed the Ikea monkey after he was spotted wearing a shearling coat outside a Toronto outlet of the furniture retailer.

It's illegal to own a monkey in Toronto, but Nakhuda and her family say they'll move with Darwin to Kawartha Lakes, where it isn't specifically prohibited yet.

(The Canadian Press)