Scotland monkey escape takes new turn as on-the-run missing animal spotted

31 January 2024 , 13:08

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Scotland monkey escape takes new turn as on-the-run missing animal spotted

An escaped macaque monkey has been spotted by a drone in the Scottish Highlands.

The monkey has been the subject of an urgent search since it fled the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie, Inverness, on Sunday. BH Wildlife Consultancy - who have assisted the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) in their efforts - shared new aerial footage on their X social media account on Wednesday, where the animal escapee is seen sitting underneath a set of branches.

Experts have said the primate appears to be in good health. Ben Harrower, owner and founder of BH Wildlife Consultancy, said: “Over the last two days we have been helping RZSS with their rescue mission to find the missing monkey.”

The macaque escaped the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie, Inverness, on Sunday (PA)

“Despite the sun making it difficult for our thermal imaging to work effectively this morning, we were able to locate the Japanese macaque this afternoon. The macaque looks in good health and we will continue to support RZSS and the Highland Wildlife Park to help with the safe return of the monkey.”

Locals have been told not to approach the macaque if they see it, but to contact the charity directly at [email protected]. The Highland Wildlife Park is home to a large group of Japanese macaques as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Macaques, also known as snow monkeys, live in large social groups known as troops.

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Locals have been told not to approach the macaque if they see it (No credit)

Highland Wildlife Park is home to a large group of Japanese macaques as part of the European Endangered Species Programme (No credit)

Keith Gilchrist from the Highland Wildlife said: “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. 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.”

Local residents have already spoken of their surprise encounters with the animal. Carl Nagle, 49, was woken abruptly on a “chilled” Sunday morning by his daughter screaming: “Dad! There’s a monkey on the street!” He told The Press and Journal: “We went outside the house and there it was in the garden.

"It was amazing. A juvenile Japanese snow monkey that we’ve seen many times at the wildlife park, sitting next to my fence eating nuts that have fallen from my bird feeders. It wandered back and forth and ran around the garden a little before returning to have a good go at another feeder.”

Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas