Hunt is on for monkey on the loose in Kincraig
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There was a surprise this morning for many in a Badenoch village as they looked into their gardens to find a monkey roaming around the flowers.
"It was insane!" said Carl Nagle at Kincraig, as he caught the visitor on his camera. "Just to see this monkey trying to get into our bird feeder. It was amazing. Not the sort of thing you expect to see in your garden."
Others have been posting their own news on social media.
Before long the mystery became clear. The animal had done a runner from the Highland Wildlife Park.
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"It had come a fair wee way – and crossed that busy road," said Mr Nagle, "and fortunately was OK."
The Japanese macaque was healthy and hungry and the park was called.
"Veterinary staff were here very quickly but it had moved on by the time they arrived, so at the moment the hunt is still on."
Another local observer said: "They are around here with a net and we all hope the monkey will be caught safe and sound."
Mr Nagle told the Strathy: "The monkeys are kept very secure at the wildlife park, even behind an electric fence, but we're told that occasionally they might get into a fight with each other and in those circumstances it's just possible that one of the animals could put up with the fence and slip through.
"It looks like that is what's happened here. Fingers crossed. It's a fair size although we're told it's just a juvenile.
"It certainly likes our birds nuts!"
Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, “We can confirm one of our Japanese macaques escaped from its enclosure this morning. Our charity has set up a team who are working to secure the monkey safely and as quickly as possible.
“If members of the public encounter the macaque they should contact comms@rzss.org.uk with more information and do not approach it.”
