Romain Rouillard / Photo credit: TOMOHIRO OHSUMI / GETTY IMAGES ASIAPAC / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP 6:50 p.m., January 31, 2024

A Japanese macaque escaped from an enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park last Sunday and found itself wandering into a nearby village. Drones equipped with thermal cameras were mobilized to find the animal, which is however not considered dangerous for humans.

Scotland on alert to find a missing monkey in a wildlife park. While sharing the daily life of 36 other fellows, a Japanese macaque escaped from the Highland Wildlife Park and even wandered into the nearby village of Kincraig, reports the BBC. Questioned by the British media, a resident even said he saw the primate at his window. “There he was, standing against the fence, eating nuts that had fallen from one of the bird feeders.”

This run, which has been going on since Sunday, has even mobilized drones with thermal cameras, indicates the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) which specifies that, if the animal is not considered dangerous for humans, it is despite It is not recommended to approach him at all. The RZSS also asks residents not to leave food scraps in their garden, in the hope that the primate will not return to the park on its own if it runs out of food. 

Watch: A monkey was spotted in a man's backyard after it escaped from Highland Wildlife Park in Scotland. Park officials are using thermal drones to help search for the Japanese macaque, who has been on the run since Sunday. https://t.co/k4jT82B4cYpic.twitter.com/kJtWQ5OvbK

— The New York Times (@nytimes) January 30, 2024

An attempt to escape the fight?

Keith Gilchrist, one of the members of the society, evokes "the tensions" which may exist within the group of macaques to explain this escape. "This time of year is breeding season and sometimes fights break out. When this happens, the animals' adrenaline can, sometimes, take over everything and, rather than fighting, it seems that one "he simply rushed and crossed the fence of the enclosure." 

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After various attempts to attract the animal, the RZSS assured this Wednesday that the latter was approaching the park, but that it was not in an area which allowed it to be intercepted in complete safety. Strong winds also made it difficult to pilot the drones.