Missing monkey search: Highland residents urged to hide food waste bins and bird feeders
The Japanese macaque got free from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday morning.
Monday 29 January 2024 11:46, UK
Residents in a Highland village are being urged to hide their outdoor food waste bins and bird feeders amid a continuing search for a missing monkey that escaped from a wildlife park.
The Japanese macaque got free from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday morning.
The monkey was later spotted sitting on a garden fence and taking nuts from a bird feeder in the nearby village of Kincraig.
Carl Nagle, who spotted the monkey on Sunday, told Sky News the animal disappeared into the trees before the keepers appeared.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which runs the park, said a team of the charity's expert keepers will continue to patrol the village on Monday in a bid to track down the animal.
Although the monkey is not believed to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he "should not be approached".
Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: "We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque and are in talks with a drone company to help in this process.
"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."
Read more from Sky News:
Tiny puppy found zipped in pocket of suspected thief
Wild ostrich seized from home where around 100 exotic animals were kept
The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is the most northerly living non-human primate, according to the RZSS.
The wildlife park houses a "large group" of the monkeys after successfully breeding the species.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
If you spot the missing monkey, call 07933928377 or email [email protected].