The search for a monkey which escaped from a Scottish wildlife park has entered its third day as park rangers attempt to “coax” the primate out of hiding.
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland confirmed keepers are responding to a sighting of the monkey on Tuesday morning.
Thermal imaging drones have been used in the search for the Japanese Macaque.
The primate escaped from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday.
The primate escaped from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday
PA
Local residents have been advised to bring in any food stored outside in an attempt to force the monkey to return to the wildlife park when it gets hungry.
People in the area have also been advised not to approach the animal.
Keith Gilchrist, living collections operations manager at the wildlife park, said: “There has been a sighting of the macaque this morning, which we are currently responding to.
“Throughout the day our expert team of animal keepers will be patrolling the local area using a variety of techniques to try and coax him in, as well as using our thermal image drone contractor to aid with the search.
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The primate escaped from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday
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“Cairngorms Mountain Rescue has also kindly offered to support with their thermal imaging drone.
“As with yesterday, we’re asking locals to please bring any obvious potential food sources like bird feeders or food waste inside, as we’re hopeful that the monkey will return to the park if he can’t find food elsewhere.
“Although the macaque is not presumed dangerous to humans or pets, our advice is to not approach him but to contact our hotline on 07933 928 377 with any sightings.”
Japanese Macaques, affectionately known as the snow monkey, is the most northerly living non-human primate.
A local couple were shocked by the “surreal” moment the monkey was spotted nibbling on nuts from their bird feeder.
A monkey has escaped from a zoo in the Scottish Highlands as staff warn members of the public not to approach itFacebook/ Highland Wildlife Park Carl Nagle, 49, and his partner Tiina Salzberg, 50, saw the primate from their patio doors.
Salzberg said: “We were watching in awe as it’s so displaced to see a Japanese snow monkey in your garden in a village in the middle of nowhere.
“It was absolutely wild, we were both elbowing each other trying to get the other one out of the way so we could get the best video and camera angles.
“It was incredible, I’m sure once in a lifetime.”
Nagle added: “It’s just the most surreal thing, I’ve seen snow monkeys in the wild but you don’t expect to see them in your back garden in the Highlands.”
