A Japanese macaque named Luka has escaped overnight from the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said, prompting a search using thermal imaging drones and other techniques.
Japanese macaque escapes Highland Wildlife Park for second time in two years
A Japanese macaque named Luka has escaped overnight from the Highland Wildlife Park near Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) said, prompting a search using thermal imaging drones and other techniques.
RZSS said it does not know how or when Luka escaped. The park was the site of a previous macaque escape in January 2024, when a monkey named Honshu remained at large for more than five days before being found in the garden of a nearby house. Honshu was subsequently moved to Edinburgh Zoo.
Following the Honshu incident, RZSS said fencing was improved and different management protocols were introduced.
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, are approximately the size of a medium-sized dog at adulthood. The troop at the park numbered 37 animals at the time of the 2024 escape. RZSS said at that time that Honshu may have been trying to avoid a fight with other group members, as the troop was in its breeding season and tensions could run high.
RZSS head of animal care Darren McGarry said primate group dynamics can be complex and that males being forced out of a group is not uncommon. He said the macaque is not dangerous but advised members of the public not to approach Luka and to report sightings by calling 07769165117.
- The source does not state Luka's age.
- The source does not state how long Luka has been missing at the time of publication.
- The source does not detail what specific management protocols were introduced after the Honshu escape.
- The source does not state whether the current escape is believed to be related to group dynamics or breeding season tensions, as was suggested in the 2024 incident.
- The source does not confirm whether Luka had any sightings reported at the time of publication.