Runaway monkey on the loose in Scotland as keepers probe fresh sighting

30 January 2024 , 13:20

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The monkey has been at large for three days (Image: Daily Record)

The hunt for a monkey that escaped from the Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland goes on, with keepers investigating a new sighting.

The Japanese macaque managed to escape its enclosure on Sunday after a fight with another monkey. Locals in Kincraig, near Aviemore, were surprised to see the monkey hanging off garden fences and shaking a bird feeder filled with nuts.

The park's bosses have asked residents not to approach the monkey and to bring all potential food sources inside to encourage it to return home. Despite using drones in the search, the monkey has not yet been found.

Today, the park confirmed they are currently attending a new sighting. Keith Gilchrist, the operations manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said: "There has been a sighting of the macaque this morning, which we are currently responding to. Throughout the day our expert team of animal keepers will be patrolling the local area using a variety of techniques to try and coax him in, as well as using our thermal image drone contractor to aid with the search."

Residents were shocked to find a monkey in their garden (Daily Record)

"Cairngorms Mountain Rescue has also kindly offered to support with their thermal imaging drone. As with yesterday, we're asking locals to please bring any obvious potential food sources like bird feeders or food waste inside, as we're hopeful that the monkey will return to the park if he can't find food elsewhere."

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"Although the macaque is not presumed dangerous to humans or pets, our advice is to not approach him but to contact our hotline on 07933928377 with any sightings."

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Sarah Vesty