Monkey on the loose after breaking out of Highland zoo

A Japanese macaque is roaming Kincraig after escaping the Highland Wildlife Park on Sunday.

Village residents warned after monkey escapes wildlife park in HighlandsHighland Wildlife Park via Supplied

Residents in the Scottish Highlands have been issued a warning after a monkey escaped from a wildlife park.

A Japanese macaque escaped from its enclosure at the Highland Wildlife Park, in Kingussie, on Sunday.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said it has assembled a team to recapture the monkey.

Members of the public have been urged not to approach the animal, and instead contact the zoological society with information.

According to reports, the monkey was sighted in the nearby village of Kincraig snacking on a bird feeder.

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.”

The wildlife park houses a “large group” of Japanese macaques after successfully breeding the species.

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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