Missing monkey is found after five days on the run since escaping enclosure
A monkey which escaped from its wildlife park home has been found after a huge search lasting five days.
The Japanese macaque fled Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig on Sunday, sparking a huge hunt for the missing animal.
Several residents reported spotting the missing seven-year-old monkey playing in the streets and enjoying nuts and birdfeed. Members of the public were urged not to approach it.
Now, after a search on the ground and a hi-tech pursuit in the air with drones, the male primate has finally been found.
He was found on Thursday morning about two miles from the zoo, and is now being checked over by staff after being temporarily tranquilised. It is hoped that he will be able to return to his enclosure soon.
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The monkey was spotted in the Scottish Highlands yesterday by a drone (PA)An attempt had been made yesterday to retrieve the animal following the drone sighting, but zoo staff said he "wasn’t in a position where we were confident we could bring him in safely". He was said to be making his way closer to the park on Wednesday afternoon.
The Highland Wildlife Park park houses a large group of Japanese macaques after successfully breeding the species. Darren McGarry from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), previously said: “Although we don't expect the monkey to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he should not be approached. We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque and are in talks with a drone company to help in this process.
The monkey was spotted breaking into a birdfeeder and trying to steal nuts (Daily Record)
An attempt was made to capture the seven-year-old male primate yesterday (CARL NAGLE)"Locals are being encouraged to bring in any food that is kept outside, such as food waste bins and bird feeders, to encourage the monkey to return to the park once he is hungry." It was previously reported the monkey may have escaped its enclosure after trying to escape a fight with another of its species.
Several people had spoken of their surprise after spotting the missing monkey outside their homes over the past few days. Carl Nagle, 49, and his partner Tiina Salzberg, 50, saw it from their patio doors in Kincraig on Sunday morning, where it could be seen nibbling on the nuts in their bird feeder and perching on their garden fence for around 15 minutes before running away. Ms Salzberg said: "We were watching in awe as it's so displaced to see a Japanese snow monkey in your garden in a village in the middle of nowhere. It's just the most surreal thing, I've seen snow monkeys in the wild but you don't expect to see them in your back garden in the Highland
"It was absolutely wild, we were both elbowing each other trying to get the other one out of the way so we could get the best video and camera angles. It was incredible, I'm sure once in a lifetime.
"It didn't seem too fazed by us being here watching it through the window, I'm sure we were talking loud enough for it to hear us. He was super cute, I have to say.” In 2022 an aggressive monkey escaped its enclosure in Japan and went on to attack 18 people, including a baby, over ten days in Yamaguchi City.
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