THE search is continuing for an escaped monkey last seen in a Highland village.
On Sunday, a Japanese macaque found a way out of its enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland has kept and bred a troop of macaques at the park for many years as part of the European Endangered Species Programme.
However despite reports from residents in the nearby village of Kincraig that the monkey had been seen eating nuts and birdfeed in their garden, the animal remains on the loose.
Keepers from the park are currently patrolling the area in an attempt to find the macaque, while RZSS said it was also in talks with a drone company to assist in the efforts.
Escaped monkey from Highland Wildlife Park in Kingussie spotted 2-3 miles away in garden in Kincraig. The Japanese macaque got loose this morning. pic.twitter.com/V914U4TtPH
— Dan Sanderson (@DSanderson_85) January 28, 2024
People in the area are being urged to bring in any food that is stored outside to encourage the monkey to return to the park when it is hungry, and have been advised not to approach the animal.
Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: “A team of our charity’s expert keepers are patrolling the village today in order to locate and return the macaque that escaped yesterday.
“We are asking anyone who spots him to please call 07933 928377 or email comms@rzss.org.uk with information.
“Although we don’t expect the monkey to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he should not be approached.
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“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.”
The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is the most northerly living non-human primate, according to the RZSS.
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