Escaped Longleat monkey is recovered (From Wiltshire Times)
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Escaped Longleat monkey is recovered
10:00am Monday 23rd July 2012 in Warminster By Will Frampton
One of the monkeys, seen here enjoying their own Jubilee party earlier this year, is believed to be in the Corsley area
Longleat’s escaped rhesus macaque monkey was found and returned safely to the safari park late on Friday night.
The monkey made a bid for freedom in the Corsley area on Thursday.
The primate escapee, a young male, was first spotted in the afternoon on Thursday, leading to a search by keepers from the safari park and local police and the temporary closure of the nearby A362.
Still on the loose, the agile fugitive was last seen on Friday morning in Corsley.
But around 8pm that evening the monkey was caught by keepers close to the estate in a humane trap baited with fruit.
The monkey appeared fit and healthy after its breakout and, after a thorough examination, it was returned to Longleat.
A spokesman for Longleat Safari and Adventure Park said: "A detailed inspection of the Monkey Jungle enclosure has not revealed any potential gaps in the secure perimeter fencing, therefore it is possible that the small primate may have been inadvertently been taken out of the enclosure on a vehicle.
"Steps have been taken to ensure this cannot happen in the future.
"Longleat would like to thank the police and local people for all their help and assistance."
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