Moment airport erupts in chaos as 'overwhelmed' monkey scales the walls

03 August 2023 , 09:55

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Moment airport erupts in chaos as 'overwhelmed' monkey scales the walls

This is the moment chaos erupted inside a busy airport terminal when a mischievous monkey started scaling the walls.

Airport bosses shared footage on social media of the panic which ensued amongst passengers inside Terminal 1 of Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Saturday. The creature was seen climbing along sunbeams high up in front of a huge window, as it appeared to find itself lost and confused.

Taking to social media, airport officials wrote: "Poor buddy! Must be feeling completely overwhelmed! Hang in there! We are getting the abang specialists from Jabatan Perhilitan to rescue you!" It remains unclear how the animal got there.

A raised platform had to be brought in to catch the monkey (CEN)

Passengers and airport staff watched in horror as the creature clambered up onto the beams (CEN)

The workers added: "To all passengers at KLIA T1, our airport team is on the ground to monitor the situation. Please stay calm and do not worry. Help is on the way for our little lost friend." Staff had to get in a raised platform vehicle to reach the beam where the monkey had found itself stuck.

The creature was then reportedly captured by an expert from Perhilitan - Malaysia's wildlife authority - before being taken away. The monkey was later released back into the wild, where it is said to have re-joined its group.

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Airport officials said: "Our furry friend has been saved! Thank you abang Perhilitan for being heroes of the day! This little guy can now go home to his family safely. What an adventure he must have had. Many thanks to the airport team too for staying vigilant and ensuring the safety of passengers throughout the commotion."

The monkey was eventually captured (CEN)

It's since been released back into the wild (CEN)

The bizarre incident isn't the first time a monkey has been spotted inside an airport. Earlier this year, custom officials in Vienna managed to seize 13 monkeys which were being reportedly smuggled from Czechia into Malaysia.

Austrian officials said the captives were aged around two to three years and the reason given for them being shipped overseas was for breeding purposes. Suspicions arose however when only two of the monkeys were found to be chipped.

And in May 2018, one monkey managed to break free at San Antonio Airport in Texas, US, when it escaped its cage while being transported. The rhesus macaque, which had been retired after being used for research purposes, caused panic at the airport before being eventually captured in the baggage area.

Susie Beever