Residents in a Highland village are being urged to hide their outdoor food waste bins and bird feeders amid a continuing search for a missing monkey that escaped from a wildlife park.

The Japanese macaque got free from its enclosure at Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie on Sunday morning.

The monkey was later spotted sitting on a garden fence and taking nuts from a bird feeder in the nearby village of Kincraig.

Carl Nagle, who spotted the monkey on Sunday, told Sky News the animal disappeared into the trees before the keepers appeared.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which runs the park, said a team of the charity’s expert keepers will continue to patrol the village on Monday in a bid to track down the animal.

Although the monkey is not believed to be a threat to the public or pet animals, he “should not be approached”.

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, said: “We are doing everything we can to locate the macaque and are in talks with a drone company to help in this process.

Tiny puppy found zipped in pocket of suspected thief in Detroit

Wild ostrich seized from Long Island home where around 100 exotic animals were kept

Three charged in Thailand after lion cub filmed riding in back of Bentley

“Locals are being encouraged to bring in any food that is kept outside, such as food waste bins and bird feeders to encourage the monkey to return to the park once he is hungry.”

Read more from Sky News:
Tiny puppy found zipped in pocket of suspected thief
Wild ostrich seized from home where around 100 exotic animals were kept

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is the most northerly living non-human primate, according to the RZSS.

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

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

If you spot the missing monkey, call 07933928377 or email [email protected].

Related posts:

UK records another five COVID deaths and 2,047 cases Love Island winner Jack Fincham says he attempted to take his own life last year Boy, 10, killed in dog attack – armed police destroy animal Man walked 28 miles to murder ex-girlfriend and her son Britons donate £100m to help Ukrainian refugees in ‘amazing show of support’ People urged to ‘check on elderly and babies’ after crisis heatwave meeting – with UK set to be hotter than ever Man accused of murdering Olivia, 9, denies being gunman who ‘garden-hopped’ to escape Sainsbury’s shoppers criticise ‘vile’ vacuum-packed beef mince – even though it saves on plastic ‘Superstar’ daughter saves mum by calling for help on Alexa device Fugitive convicted of murdering man in park over £10 debt Arrest made after Tory MP was sent threatening messages about Israel-Gaza conflict ‘A players’ man’: Terry Venables, who nearly guided England to glory, fondly remembered